A discourse concerning the beauty of providence in all the rugged passages of it very seasonable to quiet and support the heart in these times of publick confusion / by John Wilkins ...
         Sermons. Selections
         Wilkins, John, 1614-1672.
      
       
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             A discourse concerning the beauty of providence in all the rugged passages of it very seasonable to quiet and support the heart in these times of publick confusion / by John Wilkins ...
             Sermons. Selections
             Wilkins, John, 1614-1672.
          
           [22], 119 p.
           
             Printed for Sa. Gellibrand ...,
             London :
             1649.
          
           
             Reproduction of original in Cambridge University Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
         eng
      
       
         
           Natural theology -- Early works to 1800.
        
      
    
       A66025  R1664  (Wing W2177).  civilwar no A discourse concerning the beauty of providence in all the rugged passages of it. Very seasonable to quiet and support the heart in these ti Wilkins, John 1649    15394 8 45 0 0 0 0 34 C  The  rate of 34 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the C category of texts with between 10 and 35 defects per 10,000 words. 
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           A
           Discourse
           concerning
           the
           Beauty
           of
           PROVIDENCE
           In
           all
           the
           rugged
           passages
           of
           it
           .
        
         
           Very
           seasonable
           to
           quiet
           and
           support
           the
           heart
           in
           these
           times
           of
           publick
           confusion
           .
        
         
           By
           JOHN
           WILKINS
           .
           B.
           D.
           
        
         
           
             PSAL.
             25.
             10.
             
          
           
             All
             the
             paths
             of
             the
             Lord
             are
             mercy
             and
             truth
             ,
             to
             such
             as
             keep
             his
             Co●●●●●●
             and
             his
             Testimonies
             .
          
        
         
           
             LONDON
             :
          
           Printed
           for
           
             Sa
             :
             Ge●●ibrand
          
           at
           the
           Brasen
           Serpent
           in
           St.
           
             Pauls
          
           Church-yard
           .
           1649.
           
        
      
       
       
       
         
           THE
           PREFACE
           to
           the
           READER
           .
        
         
           AMongst
           all
           other
           
             Doctrines
             ,
          
           this
           of
           
             Providence
          
           (
           though
           it
           do
           properly
           belong
           to
           
             Naturall
             Theology
             ,
          
           yet
           )
           is
           of
           as
           Universal
           concernment
           ,
           both
           for
           knowledge
           and
           practise
           ,
           as
           any
           other
           
           point
           ,
           in
           
             Christian
             Divinity
             .
          
        
         
           The
           very
           Heathen
           have
           acknowledged
           ,
           not
           onely
           a
           
             Universall
          
           providence
           of
           God
           ,
           which
           puts
           the
           
             general
          
           kinds
           of
           things
           into
           a
           regular
           way
           of
           working
           ,
           But
           his
           
             particular
          
           providence
           likewise
           ,
           which
           takes
           care
           of
           
             Individuall
          
           persons
           and
           actions
           .
           Why
           else
           do
           all
           religions
           oblige
           men
           to
           pray
           unto
           him
           ,
           and
           to
           expect
           his
           speciall
           assistance
           ,
           in
           every
           kind
           of
           want
           or
           necessitie
           ?
        
         
         
           But
           now
           ,
           though
           this
           common
           principle
           be
           so
           universally
           acknowledged
           in
           the
           
             Notion
          
           of
           it
           ,
           yet
           men
           are
           generally
           very
           negligent
           in
           the
           
             practicall
          
           application
           of
           it
           ,
           to
           particular
           times
           and
           conditions
           ;
           And
           so
           loose
           that
           comfort
           and
           satisfaction
           that
           may
           be
           reaped
           from
           it
           .
        
         
           It
           is
           the
           chief
           aime
           and
           businesse
           of
           this
           Discourse
           ,
           to
           convince
           and
           quicken
           men
           unto
           this
           dutie
           ,
           as
           being
           by
           so
           much
           the
           more
           
           seasonable
           for
           these
           times
           ,
           by
           how
           much
           the
           present
           troubles
           and
           confusions
           do
           now
           call
           upon
           us
           for
           it
           .
        
         
           It
           cannot
           but
           occasion
           some
           suggestions
           of
           Diffidence
           and
           Infidelitie
           ,
           to
           consider
           those
           many
           strange
           revolutions
           and
           changes
           in
           the
           world
           ,
           which
           in
           outward
           appearance
           ,
           seem
           so
           full
           of
           disorder
           and
           wilde
           contingencies
           .
           And
           therfore
           it
           must
           needs
           be
           of
           speciall
           consequence
           for
           a
           man
           to
           
           have
           his
           heart
           established
           in
           the
           knowledge
           and
           belief
           of
           this
           truth
           here
           insisted
           upon
           .
        
         
           In
           all
           ages
           of
           the
           
           world
           men
           have
           been
           much
           startled
           in
           their
           judgements
           ,
           by
           that
           unequall
           dispensation
           which
           seems
           to
           be
           in
           these
           outward
           things
           .
           
             That
             one
             event
             should
          
           
           
             be
             to
             the
             righteous
             and
             the
             wicked
             .
          
           Nay
           ,
           
             That
          
           
           
             a
             just
             man
             should
             perish
             in
             his
             righteousnesse
             ,
             and
             the
             wicked
             should
          
           
           
             prosper
             in
             his
             wickednesse
             .
             That
             on
             the
             side
             
             of
             the
             Oppressor
             there
          
           
           
             should
             be
             might
             ,
             and
             the
             Oppressed
             should
             have
             none
             to
             comfort
             them
             .
          
           This
           hath
           sometimes
           so
           amazed
           and
           perplexed
           the
           thoughts
           of
           considering
           men
           ,
           that
           whilest
           they
           looked
           barely
           upon
           events
           ,
           they
           could
           not
           tell
           how
           to
           extricate
           themselves
           from
           these
           difficulties
           ;
           which
           occasioned
           that
           speech
           of
           
             Solomon
             ,
             Surely
             oppression
             makes
             a
             wise
             man
             mad
             :
          
           that
           
           is
           ,
           puts
           him
           to
           his
           wits
           end
           ,
           transports
           him
           
           with
           wilde
           imaginations
           ,
           whilst
           he
           knows
           not
           readily
           what
           to
           answer
           in
           defence
           of
           such
           proceedings
           .
        
         
           But
           now
           ,
           he
           that
           shal
           seriously
           consider
           ,
           how
           every
           thing
           is
           mannaged
           by
           an
           all-seeing
           Providence
           ,
           which
           is
           exactly
           carefull
           ,
           and
           infinitely
           wise
           ,
           such
           a
           man
           will
           be
           easily
           satisfied
           ,
           that
           in
           all
           these
           obscure
           administrations
           ,
           (
           which
           seem
           unto
           us
           so
           full
           of
           casuall
           ,
           negligent
           ,
           promiscuous
           events
           )
           there
           is
           an
           admirable
           ,
           
           (
           though
           unsearchable
           )
           contrivance
           .
        
         
           As
           for
           the
           particular
           designe
           which
           Providence
           may
           ayme
           at
           in
           some
           dispensations
           ,
           this
           doth
           not
           alwayes
           fall
           under
           our
           reach
           .
           
             It
             is
             the
             glorie
             of
             God
          
           
           
             to
             conceal
             a
             matter
             .
          
           And
           many
           of
           his
           works
           are
           so
           ordered
           ,
           that
           
             though
             a
             man
             labour
             to
             seek
             them
             out
             ,
             yet
             he
             shall
             not
             finde
             them
             .
          
           Yea
           further
           ,
           
             Though
             a
             wise
             man
          
           
           
             think
             to
             know
             them
             ,
             yet
             shall
             he
             not
             be
             able
             to
             find
             them
             .
          
           And
           therfore
           ,
           
           where
           we
           cannot
           understand
           his
           wayes
           ,
           it
           is
           there
           our
           dutie
           ,
           with
           an
           humble
           reverence
           to
           beleeve
           and
           admire
           the
           wisedome
           of
           them
           .
        
         
           How
           would
           this
           ,
           (
           if
           rightly
           considered
           and
           applyed
           )
           silence
           all
           those
           unseemly
           murmurings
           &
           complaints
           of
           men
           in
           these
           times
           .
           Remember
           ,
           there
           is
           nothing
           befalls
           us
           but
           
             what
             the
             counsell
             of
             God
             had
             before
             determined
             to
             be
          
           
           
             done
             .
          
           And
           he
           can
           order
           things
           for
           the
           best
           ,
           
           as
           well
           when
           they
           crosse
           our
           desires
           ,
           as
           when
           they
           comply
           with
           them
           .
        
         
           And
           therefore
           
             when
          
           
           
             you
             see
             the
             violent
             perverting
             of
             judgement
             and
             justice
             in
             a
             Province
             ,
             marvell
             not
             at
             the
             matter
             .
          
           That
           is
           ,
           Be
           not
           transported
           with
           wonder
           or
           impatience
           ,
           or
           unbelief
           ,
           as
           if
           the
           Providence
           of
           God
           were
           regardlesse
           or
           negligent
           .
           
             For
             he
             that
             is
             higher
             then
             the
             highest
             regardeth
             .
          
           Though
           they
           that
           have
           the
           highest
           
           power
           amongst
           men
           ,
           may
           be
           so
           farre
           from
           
             remedying
             ,
          
           that
           they
           rather
           
             incourage
          
           such
           disorders
           ,
           yet
           God
           hath
           a
           strict
           ,
           watchfull
           eye
           upon
           them
           .
           And
           though
           men
           may
           be
           apt
           to
           secure
           themselves
           in
           such
           proceedings
           ,
           by
           the
           greatnes
           of
           their
           own
           strength
           ,
           as
           if
           there
           were
           nothing
           above
           them
           ,
           yet
           
             there
             are
             higher
             then
             they
             .
          
           And
           
             there
             is
             a
          
           
           
             time
             ,
             when
             God
             will
             judge
             both
             the
             righteous
             and
             the
             wicked
             .
          
        
         
           Let
           us
           be
           carefull
           
           of
           our
           own
           duty
           ,
           to
           serve
           Providence
           in
           the
           usuall
           means
           ,
           and
           leave
           the
           disposall
           of
           events
           to
           him
           .
           It
           should
           be
           every
           mans
           chief
           businesse
           ,
           to
           
             clear
             up
             the
             evidences
          
           of
           his
           particular
           title
           and
           relation
           ,
           unto
           
             this
             great
             Governor
             of
             the
             world
             ,
          
           and
           this
           will
           be
           the
           surest
           means
           to
           set
           us
           above
           the
           fear
           or
           hurt
           of
           all
           outward
           changes
           .
        
         
           We
           see
           with
           what
           Artifice
           and
           complyance
           men
           will
           insinuate
           themselves
           ,
           into
           
           the
           affection
           of
           those
           who
           (
           according
           to
           severall
           revolutions
           )
           are
           advaneed
           into
           the
           places
           of
           power
           .
           Of
           how
           much
           greater
           advantage
           would
           it
           be
           ,
           to
           get
           an
           interest
           in
           his
           favour
           ,
           who
           doth
           and
           shall
           alwayes
           rule
           over
           the
           sons
           of
           men
           ,
           having
           all
           times
           at
           his
           disposal
           ,
           out
           of
           whose
           hands
           no
           strength
           or
           policy
           ,
           shall
           ever
           be
           able
           to
           wrest
           the
           sway
           and
           dominion
           of
           things
           .
        
         
           It
           cannot
           but
           afford
           strong
           consolation
           unto
           
           every
           true
           beleever
           to
           consider
           ,
           that
           he
           who
           hath
           the
           chief
           influence
           ,
           in
           all
           these
           great
           changes
           and
           variety
           of
           events
           in
           the
           world
           ,
           is
           both
           
             his
             God
             ,
          
           and
           
             his
             Father
             .
          
        
         
           How
           did
           this
           quiet
           the
           heart
           of
           old
           
             Eli
             ,
          
           I
           
             Sam.
          
           3.
           18.
           
           
             It
             is
             the
             Lord
             ,
             let
             him
             do
             what
             seenieth
             him
             good
             .
          
           And
           
             David
          
           upon
           the
           same
           consideration
           professeth
           ,
           
             I
             was
             dumbe
             ,
             and
             opened
             not
             my
             mouth
             ,
          
           
           
             because
             thou
             didst
             it
             .
          
           And
           our
           blessed
           Saviour
           himself
           makes
           use
           
           of
           this
           argument
           .
           
             The
          
           
           
             cup
             that
             my
             Father
             hath
             given
             me
             ,
             shall
             I
             not
             drink
             it
             ?
          
           Though
           the
           potion
           be
           bitter
           ,
           and
           displeasing
           ,
           yet
           so
           long
           as
           it
           comes
           from
           a
           loving
           and
           carefull
           Father
           ,
           we
           have
           no
           reason
           to
           fear
           any
           hurt
           by
           it
           .
        
         
           And
           on
           the
           other
           side
           ,
           much
           of
           mens
           unquietnesse
           and
           dejection
           ,
           is
           occasioned
           ,
           either
           by
           the
           want
           of
           this
           evidence
           ,
           or
           by
           the
           neglect
           of
           applying
           it
           .
           When
           they
           terminate
           their
           thoughts
           
           upon
           secondary
           instruments
           ,
           
             Fearing
          
           
           
             men
             that
             shall
             dye
             ,
             and
             the
             sonnes
             of
             men
             that
             shall
             be
             made
             as
             grafse
             :
             Forgetting
             the
             Lord
             their
             maker
             ,
             who
             stretched
             forth
             the
             heavens
             ,
             &
             layed
             the
             foundations
             of
             the
             earth
             .
          
           This
           is
           that
           which
           makes
           men
           to
           
             feare
             continually
             ,
             because
             of
             the
             fury
             of
             the
             Oppressor
             .
          
        
         
           How
           would
           it
           compose
           all
           these
           fears
           and
           distempers
           ,
           if
           men
           would
           but
           labour
           after
           this
           assurance
           of
           
           their
           interest
           in
           God
           with
           the
           same
           zeal
           and
           intention
           of
           mind
           wherewith
           they
           prosecute
           their
           particular
           ingagements
           ,
           and
           animosities
           against
           one
           another
           .
           He
           that
           hath
           God
           for
           
             his
             strength
             and
             refuge
             ,
          
           is
           alwayes
           sure
           to
           be
           on
           the
           strongest
           side
           ,
           &
           need
           not
           fear
           the
           most
           tempestuous
           mutations
           .
           
             Though
             the
             earth
             be
             removed
             ,
          
           
           
             and
             the
             mountains
             should
             be
             carried
             into
             the
             midst
             of
             the
             Sea
             :
             Though
             the
             waters
             thereof
             roar
             ,
             and
             be
             
             troubled
             ,
             and
             the
             mountains
             shake
             with
             the
             swelling
             thereof
             .
          
        
         
           Thus
           much
           I
           thought
           fit
           to
           premise
           in
           the
           generall
           ,
           concerning
           the
           necessitie
           ,
           and
           seasonablenesse
           of
           this
           Subject
           .
        
         
           As
           for
           the
           particular
           occasion
           of
           publishing
           this
           Discourse
           ,
           I
           have
           nothing
           to
           say
           but
           this
           :
           That
           being
           sollicited
           for
           a
           Copie
           of
           it
           ,
           by
           divers
           persons
           (
           and
           some
           of
           eminent
           quality
           )
           before
           whom
           it
           was
           occasionally
           Preached
           ,
           I
           knew
           not
           
           any
           more
           convenient
           way
           to
           satisfie
           their
           desires
           ,
           then
           by
           such
           a
           publick
           communication
           of
           it
           .
        
         
           I
           could
           speak
           something
           from
           
             my
             own
          
           experience
           concerning
           the
           efficacie
           of
           this
           Doctrine
           against
           those
           damps
           and
           dejections
           of
           minde
           ,
           unto
           which
           ,
           such
           times
           as
           these
           ,
           will
           expose
           a
           man
           .
           It
           is
           my
           hearty
           prayer
           ,
           that
           it
           may
           be
           usefull
           to
           
             others
          
           also
           in
           this
           respect
           .
        
         
           Farewe'l
           .
        
      
    
     
       
       
       
         
           THE
           BEAUTY
           of
           PROVIDENCE
           .
        
         
           
             Eccles.
             3.
             11.
             
          
           
             
               He
               hath
               made
               everie
               thing
               beautifull
               in
               his
               time
               :
               also
               he
               hath
               set
               the
               world
               in
               their
               heart
               ,
               yet
               no
               man
               can
               finde
               out
               the
               work
               that
               God
               maketh
               from
               the
               beginning
               to
               the
               end
               .
            
          
        
         
           THis
           
             Book
          
           contains
           
             Solomons
          
           experience
           in
           his
           search
           for
           contentment
           ;
           which
           being
           not
           to
           be
           found
           amongst
           
           any
           of
           the
           creatures
           ,
           he
           advises
           ,
           never
           to
           trouble
           our selves
           in
           an
           eager
           prosecution
           after
           them
           ,
           but
           to
           injoy
           our
           possessions
           with
           a
           chearfull
           liberall
           minde
           ,
           without
           perplexing
           our selves
           in
           such
           cares
           &
           labours
           ,
           as
           may
           defraud
           us
           of
           those
           honest
           comforts
           to
           be
           had
           by
           them
           .
           
             For
             there
             is
             nothing
             better
             for
             a
             man
             then
             that
             he
             should
             eat
             and
             drink
             ,
             and
             make
             his
             soul
             injoy
             good
             in
             his
             labour
             .
          
           ca.
           2.
           v.
           24.
           
           That
           's
           one
           of
           the
           
             conclusions
          
           which
           
             Solomon
          
           in●ers
           from
           his
           former
           discourse
           ,
           and
           which
           he
           further
           amplifies
           ,
           and
           confirms
           in
           the
           following
           parts
           of
           his
           Sermon
           .
           
           It
           being
           his
           chief
           scope
           in
           this
           book
           ,
           to
           direct
           men
           how
           to
           behave
           themselves
           with
           chearfulnesse
           and
           contentment
           ,
           under
           all
           those
           great
           revolutions
           ,
           and
           that
           variety
           of
           events
           ,
           which
           may
           befall
           them
           in
           the
           world
           .
        
         
           This
           
             Chapter
          
           contains
           a
           discourse
           concerning
           Gods
           government
           and
           disposall
           of
           times
           ;
           and
           is
           therefore
           not
           unfitly
           stiled
           ,
           the
           
             Calendar
          
           or
           
             Ephemerides
          
           of
           seasons
           :
           whence
           the
           Wiseman
           with
           divers
           arguments
           urges
           upon
           us
           what
           he
           had
           before
           commended
           ,
           a
           cheerfull
           and
           contented
           minde
           .
        
         
         
           The
           text
           is
           one
           of
           these
           arguments
           :
           
             God
             hath
             made
             every
             thing
             beautifull
             in
             his
             time
             ;
          
           that
           is
           ,
           There
           is
           a
           wise
           order
           and
           contrivance
           in
           all
           the
           works
           of
           Providence
           ;
           Every
           particular
           event
           is
           most
           seasonable
           in
           that
           time
           which
           God
           appoints
           ;
           And
           therefore
           we
           have
           no
           reason
           to
           repine
           at
           our
           condition
           ,
           as
           if
           matters
           did
           not
           go
           well
           with
           us
           ,
           for
           t
           is
           impossible
           they
           should
           have
           been
           better
           then
           they
           are
           ,
           though
           they
           do
           crosse
           our
           private
           hopes
           and
           desires
           ;
           yet
           God
           best
           understands
           the
           fittest
           order
           and
           season
           for
           all
           things
           ,
           making
           them
           beautifull
           in
           his
           time
           .
        
         
         
           
             Also
             he
             hath
             set
             the
             world
             in
             their
             heart
             :
          
           By
           
             world
          
           here
           is
           not
           meant
           this
           materiall
           world
           ,
           but
           
             seculum
             ,
          
           the
           succession
           and
           course
           of
           things
           ,
           as
           the
           original
           word
           
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
          
           does
           properly
           import
           .
           This
           God
           hath
           set
           in
           ,
           or
           
             *
          
           
             ex
             .
             pounded
          
           unto
           mens
           harts
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           he
           hath
           endowed
           us
           with
           an
           ability
           to
           discern
           in
           some
           measure
           that
           seasonablenes
           which
           he
           observes
           in
           the
           government
           of
           the
           world
           .
        
         
           
             Yet
             there
             is
             no
             man
             can
             find
             out
             the
             work
             that
             God
             makes
             from
             the
             beginning
             to
             the
             end
             :
          
           that
           is
           ,
           t
           is
           above
           humane
           ability
           to
           comprehend
           the
           reason
           of
           all
           divine
           proceedings
           ,
           we
           
           cannot
           finde
           them
           fully
           out
           from
           the
           beginning
           to
           the
           end
           .
        
         
           Others
           conceive
           that
           the
           words
           may
           be
           more
           
           properly
           rendred
           thus
           :
           
             As
             long
             as
             the
             world
             shall
             last
             ,
             God
             doth
             reveal
             unto
             mens
             hearts
             ,
             the
             work
             which
             he
             makes
             ,
             from
             the
             beginning
             to
             the
             end
             ,
             excepting
             onely
             some
             things
             unto
             which
             man
             cannot
             attain
             .
          
           As
           if
           he
           should
           have
           said
           ,
           In
           all
           ages
           of
           the
           world
           ,
           here
           are
           still
           some
           passages
           of
           providence
           ,
           wherin
           men
           may
           be
           able
           to
           discern
           a
           beauty
           and
           comlinesse
           though
           there
           are
           some
           other
           particulars
           ,
           which
           we
           cannot
           understand
           .
           The
           sence
           of
           both
           Interpretations
           ,
           
           being
           for
           the
           substance
           ,
           much
           alike
           .
        
         
           That
           's
           the
           connexion
           and
           meaning
           of
           the
           whole
           verse
           .
           The
           text
           according
           to
           its
           naturall
           fulnesse
           doth
           compr●ze
           in
           it
           these
           three
           particulars
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           Every
           thing
           has
           its
           time
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           Every
           thing
           in
           its
           time
           is
           beautifull
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           That
           is
           the
           proper
           season
           for
           all
           things
           which
           God
           appoints
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           Every
           thing
           has
           its
           time
           .
           
             To
             all
             things
             there
             is
             an
             appointed
             season
             .
          
           ver.
           1.
           
           Not
           onely
           for
           such
           
             naturall
          
           events
           ,
           as
           beare
           in
           them
           a
           kind
           of
           necessity
           ,
           as
           
             a
             time
             to
             be
             born
             ,
             and
             a
             
             time
             to
             dye
             :
          
           ver.
           2.
           
           But
           also
           for
           those
           
             voluntary
          
           actions
           ,
           that
           seem
           to
           be
           most
           alterable
           &
           contingent
           ,
           
             A
             time
             to
             weep
             ,
             and
             a
             time
             to
             laugh
             ;
          
           ver.
           4.
           
           The
           wisedome
           of
           Providence
           in
           the
           government
           of
           this
           lower
           world
           ,
           hath
           disposed
           to
           every
           thing
           its
           particular
           season
           .
           This
           is
           that
           which
           we
           call
           ,
           the
           
             fulnesse
          
           of
           time
           ,
           the
           
             ripenesse
          
           of
           season
           .
           
             Prov.
          
           27.
           1.
           the
           wiseman
           saies
           there
           ,
           that
           
             the
             day
             brings
             forth
             events
             ,
             Paritura
             est
             dies
             ,
          
           alluding
           to
           a
           teeming
           
           mother
           ,
           to
           whom
           there
           is
           a
           set
           date
           for
           hir
           delivery
           .
           So
           doth
           Time
           travail
           with
           the
           decrees
           of
           Providence
           ,
           and
           for
           
           each
           several
           action
           ,
           there
           is
           a
           pregnancy
           ,
           a
           fulnes
           of
           time
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           Every
           thing
           in
           its
           time
           is
           beautifull
           ,
           even
           such
           matters
           as
           in
           their
           own
           natures
           are
           not
           without
           some
           deformity
           .
           
             A
             time
             to
             kill
             ,
          
           ver.
           3.
           
           
             A
             time
             to
             mourn
             ,
          
           ver.
           4.
           
           
             A
             time
             of
             hate
             ,
             and
             a
             time
             of
             warre
             ,
          
           ver.
           8.
           
           The
           scorching
           of
           Sommer
           ,
           &
           the
           extreme
           cold
           of
           Winter
           ,
           though
           both
           in
           themselves
           alike
           distaftfull
           ,
           yet
           are
           comely
           in
           their
           seasons
           ,
           and
           those
           times
           would
           not
           be
           so
           beautifull
           without
           them
           .
           Nor
           is
           it
           the
           naturall
           goodnesse
           of
           any
           thing
           that
           can
           make
           it
           comely
           ,
           out
           of
           its
           proper
           
           season
           .
           That
           which
           
             Beauty
          
           is
           in
           bodies
           ,
           and
           
             Harmony
          
           in
           sounds
           ,
           that
           is
           
             opportunity
          
           in
           Time
           ;
           Now
           as
           white
           and
           red
           ,
           which
           are
           the
           usuall
           materials
           of
           
             beautie
             ,
          
           as
           those
           particular
           notes
           of
           which
           
             Musick
          
           doth
           consist
           ,
           may
           be
           so
           disposed
           of
           ,
           as
           to
           cause
           
             deformitie
          
           and
           
             discord
             .
          
           So
           actions
           which
           in
           themselves
           are
           good
           ,
           may
           be
           depraved
           by
           their
           unseasonablenes
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           That
           is
           the
           proper
           season
           for
           all
           things
           which
           God
           appoints
           .
           Or
           thus
           .
           Every
           particular
           event
           ,
           is
           most
           beautifull
           in
           that
           time
           which
           the
           Providence
           of
           God
           hath
           allotted
           to
           it
           .
           T
           is
           above
           
           the
           contrivance
           of
           humane
           policy
           to
           bring
           matters
           about
           in
           their
           fittest
           order
           .
           And
           therefore
           t
           were
           but
           folly
           to
           conclude
           that
           things
           do
           not
           fall
           out
           well
           ,
           unlesse
           they
           answer
           our
           desires
           ;
           for
           God
           best
           understands
           the
           fittest
           season
           for
           every
           purpose
           .
           And
           whatsoever
           ,
           or
           whensoever
           he
           works
           ,
           you
           may
           be
           sure
           ,
           t
           is
           both
           beautifull
           ,
           and
           in
           its
           time
           ;
           Even
           those
           events
           ,
           which
           do
           most
           thwart
           our
           private
           ends
           ,
           (
           could
           all
           circumstances
           be
           duly
           considered
           )
           we
           should
           finde
           them
           to
           be
           performed
           ,
           in
           their
           most
           comely
           order
           ,
           and
           best
           opportunity
           .
        
         
         
           As
           for
           the
           two
           first
           particulars
           ,
           though
           they
           are
           implyed
           in
           the
           text
           ,
           yet
           are
           they
           more
           expresly
           handled
           in
           the
           former
           verses
           .
           And
           therefore
           I
           shall
           passe
           them
           over
           ,
           without
           any
           further
           inlargement
           ,
           insisting
           onely
           upon
           this
           latter
           ,
           as
           being
           more
           directly
           agreeable
           to
           the
           main
           scope
           of
           the
           words
           .
        
         
           And
           t
           is
           a
           subject
           ,
           that
           in
           many
           respects
           will
           deserve
           your
           more
           especiall
           attention
           ;
           T
           is
           not
           commonly
           treated
           of
           .
           And
           besides
           ,
           it
           may
           very
           much
           conduce
           to
           our
           contentment
           ,
           to
           settle
           our
           hearts
           ,
           against
           all
           those
           
           conditions
           that
           may
           be
           fall
           us
           in
           the
           world
           .
           T
           is
           of
           very
           generall
           use
           and
           concernment
           ,
           sutable
           to
           all
           times
           and
           occasions
           .
           For
           times
           of
           
             suffering
             ,
          
           to
           make
           us
           patient
           and
           submissive
           ;
           For
           times
           of
           
             mercy
             ,
          
           to
           make
           us
           cheerfull
           ,
           and
           thankfull
           .
           In
           brief
           ,
           it
           extends
           to
           all
           persons
           ,
           relations
           ,
           businesses
           ,
           seasons
           ;
           nothing
           is
           more
           generally
           usefull
           then
           this
           ,
           to
           have
           our
           hearts
           fully
           perswaded
           of
           that
           wise
           order
           and
           contrivance
           which
           there
           is
           ,
           in
           the
           disposall
           of
           every
           particular
           event
           in
           the
           world
           .
           And
           t
           is
           more
           especially
           seasonable
           for
           times
           of
           trouble
           and
           confusion
           ,
           
           when
           men
           are
           apt
           to
           mistrust
           the
           government
           of
           Providence
           ,
           as
           if
           he
           did
           neglect
           the
           care
           of
           this
           lower
           world
           ,
           and
           leave
           all
           things
           to
           their
           own
           jarring
           principles
           .
           Then
           (
           I
           say
           )
           t
           is
           more
           especially
           seasonable
           ,
           to
           vindicate
           the
           care
           and
           wisdome
           of
           Providence
           ,
           to
           shew
           that
           every
           thing
           which
           God
           doth
           is
           best
           ,
           and
           consequently
           ,
           that
           these
           many
           distractions
           and
           confusions
           under
           which
           we
           suffer
           are
           farre
           better
           ,
           then
           any
           other
           (
           though
           the
           most
           flourishing
           )
           condition
           could
           be
           .
           And
           that
           's
           the
           subject
           I
           am
           now
           to
           insist
           upon
           .
           The
           point
           is
           this
           .
        
         
         
           
             Every
             particular
             event
             is
          
           
           
             most
             beautifull
             in
             that
             time
             ,
             which
             the
             providence
             of
             God
             hath
             allotted
             to
             it
             .
          
        
         
           A
           truth
           ,
           by
           so
           much
           the
           more
           seasonable
           for
           these
           times
           ,
           by
           how
           much
           t
           is
           now
           the
           more
           difficult
           to
           beleeve
           it
           .
        
         
           The
           Observation
           lyes
           plainly
           both
           in
           the
           scope
           of
           the
           place
           ,
           and
           the
           most
           obvious
           sence
           of
           the
           words
           .
        
         
           The
           Scripture
           is
           copious
           in
           other
           proofs
           to
           
           this
           purpose
           .
           
             Deut.
          
           32.
           4.
           
           
             His
             work
             is
             perfect
             ,
             and
             his
             wayes
             are
             judgement
             ,
             a
             God
             of
             truth
             and
             without
             iniquity
             ,
             just
             and
             right
             .
          
           Not
           onely
           his
           first
           
             work
          
           of
           creation
           is
           exactly
           good
           and
           
           perfect
           ;
           but
           his
           
             wayes
          
           of
           Providence
           also
           are
           disposed
           with
           judgement
           and
           righteousnesse
           .
        
         
           So
           again
           ,
           
             Isa.
          
           28.
           29.
           
           
             The
             Lord
             of
             hosts
             is
             wonderfull
          
           
           
             in
             counsell
             ,
             and
             excellent
             in
             working
             .
          
           That
           is
           ,
           every
           event
           of
           Providence
           ,
           is
           managed
           &
           pre-ordained
           by
           an
           admirable
           wisdome
           ,
           and
           therfore
           must
           needs
           be
           of
           
             excellent
          
           contrivance
           .
        
         
           And
           again
           .
           
             Dan.
          
           2.
           20
           ,
           21.
           
           
             Wisdome
             and
             might
             are
             his
             ,
             he
             changeth
             the
             times
             and
             the
             seasons
             :
             he
             removeth
             Kings
             ,
             and
             he
             setteth
             up
             Kings
             .
          
           Those
           two
           attributes
           of
           strength
           &
           wisedome
           
           are
           for
           the
           most
           part
           put
           together
           in
           Scripture
           ;
           
           God
           never
           shews
           any
           argument
           of
           his
           
             strength
             ,
          
           but
           his
           
             wisdome
          
           is
           ingaged
           in
           it
           also
           .
           Those
           great
           alterations
           &
           subversions
           ,
           which
           happen
           in
           the
           world
           ,
           do
           not
           more
           demonstrate
           the
           greatnesse
           of
           his
           
             power
          
           in
           the
           doing
           of
           them
           ,
           then
           the
           greatnesse
           of
           his
           
             wisdom
             ,
          
           in
           disposing
           of
           them
           for
           the
           best
           .
        
         
           And
           again
           .
           
             Psal.
          
           104.
           24.
           
           
             O
             Lord
             how
             manifold
             are
             thy
             works
             ,
             in
             wisedome
             hast
             thou
             made
             them
             all
             ,
             the
             earth
             is
             full
             of
             thy
             riches
             .
          
           Which
           is
           as
           well
           true
           of
           the
           works
           of
           
             Providence
             ,
          
           as
           of
           the
           works
           of
           
             creation
             .
          
        
         
           But
           this
           truth
           is
           more
           
           directly
           intimated
           by
           that
           vision
           of
           
             Ezekiel
             ,
          
           in
           the
           first
           Chapter
           of
           his
           Prophesie
           ,
           wherein
           he
           doth
           expresse
           how
           all
           events
           in
           the
           world
           are
           wisely
           disposed
           of
           ,
           by
           the
           care
           and
           government
           of
           Providence
           .
           The
           scope
           of
           that
           vision
           was
           to
           confirm
           the
           faith
           of
           the
           Prophet
           in
           the
           certainty
           of
           those
           things
           which
           he
           was
           to
           foretell
           ;
           because
           God
           himself
           by
           whom
           he
           was
           inspired
           ,
           had
           such
           a
           special
           influence
           ,
           in
           the
           orderly
           managing
           of
           all
           inferior
           events
           .
        
         
           Though
           matters
           might
           seem
           
             to
             run
             upon
             wheels
          
           (
           as
           we
           say
           )
           to
           follow
           their
           own
           courses
           ,
           without
           
           any
           speciall
           guidance
           ,
           to
           go
           at
           random
           ,
           yet
           
             these
             wheels
             have
             eyes
             in
             them
             ,
          
           v.
           18.
           that
           is
           ,
           there
           is
           the
           eye
           of
           Providence
           which
           directs
           them
           in
           their
           revolutions
           .
           
           And
           then
           besides
           ,
           these
           wheels
           are
           likewise
           
             governed
             by
             the
             foure
             living
             creatures
             ,
          
           that
           
           is
           ,
           by
           the
           Angels
           of
           God
           ,
           who
           are
           fitted
           for
           all
           their
           services
           ,
           with
           foure
           remarkableendowments
        
         
           1.
           
           With
           wisdom
           and
           prudence
           ,
           typified
           in
           that
           vision
           ,
           by
           the
           
             face
             of
             a
             man
             .
          
        
         
           2.
           
           Courage
           and
           resolution
           ,
           
             the
             face
             of
             a
             Lion
             .
          
        
         
           3.
           
           Sedulitie
           ,
           and
           diligence
           ,
           
             the
             face
             of
             an
             ox
             .
          
        
         
           4.
           
           Swiftnesse
           and
           dispatch
           ,
           
           
             the
             face
             of
             an
             Eagle
             .
          
        
         
           In
           all
           which
           the
           Prophet
           doth
           at
           large
           explain
           unto
           us
           ,
           with
           what
           deliberate
           care
           and
           forecast
           ,
           the
           Providence
           of
           God
           doth
           dispose
           of
           all
           these
           inferior
           events
           .
        
         
           This
           truth
           may
           yet
           be
           further
           evidenced
           ,
           from
           
           the
           very
           light
           of
           Nature
           ,
           and
           the
           testimony
           of
           the
           Heathen
           .
           Hence
           was
           it
           that
           the
           Ancients
           did
           set
           forth
           their
           Gods
           with
           Harps
           in
           their
           hands
           ,
           to
           shew
           the
           harmony
           they
           observed
           in
           the
           government
           of
           the
           world
           .
           And
           
           
             Mid●●
          
           was
           condemned
           to
           wear
           Asses
           ears
           ,
           because
           he
           preferred
           
             Pans
          
           Pipe
           before
           
             Apollo's
          
           Lute
           ;
           
           Humane
           policy
           ,
           before
           Divine
           Providence
           .
        
         
           Nay
           the
           devill
           himself
           doth
           acknowledge
           the
           wisdom
           and
           seasonablenesse
           of
           Divine
           proceedings
           ,
           and
           therfore
           would
           fain
           have
           sheltred
           himself
           under
           this
           pretence
           ,
           
             Matth.
          
           8.
           29.
           
           
             Art
             thou
             come
             to
             torment
             us
             before
             our
             time
             ?
          
           Implying
           that
           it
           would
           not
           become
           the
           God
           of
           order
           to
           do
           any
           thing
           
             untimely
             .
          
           And
           doubtles
           that
           must
           needs
           be
           an
           evident
           and
           a
           great
           truth
           ,
           which
           is
           confest
           by
           the
           mouth
           of
           so
           great
           a
           lyar
           .
        
         
           For
           the
           further
           confirmation
           of
           this
           ,
           let
           us
           a
           little
           consider
           ,
           some
           of
           
           those
           rugged
           passages
           of
           Providence
           ,
           which
           seem
           to
           be
           performed
           with
           the
           greatest
           negligence
           and
           deformity
           .
        
         
           Look
           upon
           the
           History
           of
           
             Joseph
             ,
          
           he
           was
           (
           you
           
           know
           )
           one
           of
           the
           promised
           Seed
           ,
           concerning
           whom
           ,
           God
           had
           foretold
           ,
           a
           superiority
           and
           dominion
           ,
           over
           the
           rest
           of
           his
           family
           .
           Now
           ,
           that
           after
           this
           ,
           he
           should
           be
           exposed
           to
           the
           treachery
           of
           his
           malicious
           brethren
           ;
           That
           besides
           his
           nearnesse
           to
           slaughter
           from
           their
           hands
           ,
           he
           should
           be
           sold
           into
           a
           far
           Countrey
           ,
           whence
           there
           was
           no
           hopes
           ever
           to
           hear
           of
           him
           again
           ;
           That
           
           there
           he
           should
           be
           so
           endangered
           by
           the
           rage
           of
           a
           lustfull
           woman
           ,
           and
           suffer
           so
           tedious
           and
           unjust
           an
           imprisonment
           ,
           all
           this
           might
           seem
           to
           be
           an
           over-sight
           and
           neglect
           of
           Providence
           ,
           as
           if
           it
           had
           forgotten
           that
           promotion
           which
           
             Joseph
          
           was
           designed
           to
           .
           And
           yet
           do
           but
           reflect
           upon
           the
           latter
           part
           of
           the
           story
           ,
           and
           you
           shall
           find
           ,
           how
           all
           these
           misfortunes
           did
           mightily
           conduce
           ,
           not
           onely
           to
           his
           advancement
           ,
           but
           alto
           to
           the
           safety
           and
           preservation
           of
           that
           whole
           family
           ,
           which
           was
           then
           the
           visible
           Church
           .
           So
           that
           if
           each
           of
           his
           brethren
           had
           given
           him
           as
           
           much
           money
           as
           they
           sold
           him
           for
           ,
           it
           had
           not
           been
           so
           great
           a
           kindnesse
           as
           he
           received
           from
           their
           intended
           crueltie
           .
        
         
           It
           is
           an
           elegant
           glosse
           of
           St.
           
             Gregory
          
           upon
           this
           story
           ,
           
             Divino
             judicio
             quod
             declinare
             conati
             sunt
             ,
             renitendo
             servierunt
             :
             Ideo
             venditus
             est
             à
             fratribus
             Joseph
             ,
             ne
             adoraretur
             ,
             sed
             ideo
             est
             adoratus
             quia
             venditus
             .
          
           It
           was
           so
           ordered
           by
           Providence
           ,
           that
           what
           they
           sought
           to
           decline
           ,
           they
           did
           promote
           ,
           even
           by
           their
           striving
           against
           it
           ;
           
             Joseph
          
           was
           therefore
           sold
           by
           his
           brethren
           ,
           that
           he
           might
           not
           be
           worshiped
           ,
           and
           yet
           he
           was
           therefore
           worshipped
           because
           he
           
           was
           sold
           .
           
             Sic
             divinum
             consilium
             dum
             devitatur
             ,
             impletur
             ;
             sic
             humana
             sapientia
             dum
             reluctatur
             ,
             comprehenditur
             .
          
           Even
           so
           the
           divine
           counsell
           is
           accomplished
           in
           being
           opposed
           ;
           so
           humane
           policy
           is
           defeated
           by
           the
           means
           of
           promoting
           it
           .
        
         
           Thus
           also
           is
           it
           in
           the
           
           history
           of
           
             David
             ,
          
           he
           was
           (
           you
           know
           )
           designed
           to
           a
           Kingdom
           ,
           but
           how
           many
           straights
           was
           he
           put
           to
           before
           he
           attain'd
           it
           ?
           being
           forced
           into
           the
           wildernesse
           like
           a
           wandring
           out-law
           ,
           and
           followed
           there
           by
           a
           company
           of
           discontented
           persons
           ,
           who
           were
           as
           readie
           perhaps
           ,
           upon
           every
           triviall
           
           occasion
           to
           revolt
           from
           him
           ,
           as
           before
           from
           
             Saul
             .
          
           But
           above
           all
           the
           rest
           ,
           his
           last
           distresse
           was
           one
           of
           the
           most
           desperate
           ,
           when
           he
           was
           spoiled
           at
           
             Ziglag
             ,
          
           not
           only
           of
           his
           goods
           ,
           but
           his
           wives
           and
           children
           too
           ,
           when
           his
           own
           Souldiers
           in
           their
           mutiny
           and
           discontent
           were
           ready
           to
           stone
           him
           ;
           there
           being
           then
           but
           little
           hopes
           to
           save
           his
           life
           ,
           much
           lesse
           to
           get
           a
           Kingdom
           :
           And
           yet
           this
           distresse
           also
           ,
           was
           in
           the
           event
           of
           it
           contrived
           to
           his
           advantage
           .
           For
           having
           afterwards
           pursued
           the
           
             Amalekites
             ,
          
           he
           not
           only
           recovered
           his
           own
           ,
           but
           got
           also
           such
           abundance
           
           of
           other
           spoils
           from
           them
           ,
           as
           served
           him
           for
           rich
           presents
           ,
           whereby
           he
           might
           renew
           and
           confirm
           the
           friendship
           of
           his
           well-wishers
           in
           Israel
           ,
           that
           after
           the
           death
           of
           
             Saul
          
           (
           which
           presently
           followed
           )
           he
           might
           by
           their
           free
           votes
           be
           chose
           to
           succeed
           him
           .
           1
           
             Sam.
          
           30.
           and
           Chap.
           31.
           
        
         
           You
           may
           observe
           likewise
           somewhat
           to
           this
           purpose
           in
           the
           story
           of
           
             Jonah
             ,
          
           when
           he
           was
           sent
           
           to
           
             Nineveh
          
           about
           so
           weighty
           a
           matter
           as
           the
           safety
           of
           that
           great
           populous
           City
           ,
           and
           that
           too
           ,
           when
           their
           destruction
           was
           within
           ken
           ,
           but
           fourty
           dayes
           off
           ,
           that
           he
           
           should
           now
           make
           delayes
           and
           fly
           to
           
             Tarshish
             ,
          
           that
           upon
           such
           a
           straight
           ,
           he
           should
           run
           himself
           into
           hazards
           ,
           might
           seem
           to
           argue
           some
           carelesnesse
           ,
           and
           neglect
           in
           the
           government
           of
           Providence
           .
           And
           yet
           this
           error
           of
           his
           was
           so
           wisely
           managed
           in
           the
           event
           ,
           that
           it
           proved
           a
           great
           advantage
           to
           the
           main
           end
           of
           his
           businesse
           .
           For
           t
           is
           a
           probable
           opinion
           that
           these
           mariners
           ,
           who
           cast
           
             Jonah
          
           into
           the
           Sea
           ,
           were
           a
           speciall
           occasion
           that
           his
           preaching
           was
           so
           successefull
           afterwards
           .
           The
           
             Ninivites
          
           being
           by
           them
           informed
           ,
           that
           this
           was
           that
           Prophet
           ,
           for
           whom
           they
           had
           
           lately
           suffered
           so
           violent
           a
           tempest
           ,
           how
           the
           wind
           ceased
           ,
           and
           all
           was
           calmed
           again
           ,
           when
           they
           had
           once
           cast
           him
           into
           the
           Sea
           ;
           from
           whence
           it
           was
           not
           possible
           he
           should
           be
           delivered
           but
           by
           a
           miracle
           .
           And
           therefore
           they
           concluded
           ,
           that
           this
           must
           needs
           be
           some
           man
           extraordinarily
           inspired
           from
           above
           ,
           and
           that
           his
           preaching
           was
           not
           idle
           threats
           ,
           but
           such
           as
           might
           justly
           fright
           them
           into
           that
           rigorous
           Fast
           which
           afterwards
           we
           read
           of
           ,
           both
           for
           man
           and
           beast
           .
           It
           being
           the
           wisedome
           of
           Providence
           so
           to
           contrive
           it
           ,
           that
           this
           offence
           of
           
             Jonah
          
           should
           
           mightilyadvantage
           that
           end
           ,
           which
           it
           did
           seem
           most
           directly
           to
           oppose
           .
        
         
           So
           likewise
           for
           that
           
           distention
           betwixt
           
             Paul
          
           and
           
             Barnabas
             ,
             Act
          
           15.
           it
           might
           seem
           the
           unseasonable
           breach
           ,
           that
           could
           possibly
           be
           imagined
           ,
           when
           the
           Church
           of
           the
           Christians
           was
           now
           in
           its
           beginnings
           and
           infancy
           ,
           that
           then
           the
           two
           chief
           members
           of
           it
           should
           fall
           at
           variance
           amongst
           themselves
           ,
           was
           such
           an
           untimely
           dissention
           that
           an
           enemy
           could
           not
           wish
           them
           worse
           .
           Nothing
           could
           more
           thwart
           the
           promulgation
           of
           the
           Gospel
           of
           Peace
           ,
           then
           the
           contentions
           of
           those
           that
           
           preach
           it
           .
           If
           that
           State
           which
           is
           already
           established
           into
           
             a
             Kingdome
             ,
             divided
             against
             it self
             ,
             cannot
          
           
           
             stand
             ,
          
           much
           lesse
           could
           those
           small
           beginnings
           think
           to
           increase
           into
           a
           Church
           by
           divisions
           .
        
         
           And
           yet
           this
           likewise
           was
           so
           disposed
           of
           in
           the
           event
           ,
           that
           it
           did
           mightily
           conduce
           to
           the
           propagation
           of
           the
           Gospel
           thorow
           the
           whole
           world
           ;
           for
           by
           this
           means
           ,
           those
           two
           parted
           asunder
           ,
           the
           one
           into
           
             Cyprus
             ,
          
           the
           other
           into
           
             Syria
             and
             Cylicia
             ,
          
           and
           like
           two
           mighty
           streams
           
           spread
           themselves
           several
           wayes
           ,
           that
           so
           they
           might
           the
           better
           water
           the
           barren
           and
           thirstie
           
           corners
           of
           the
           world
           .
        
         
           Thus
           have
           you
           seen
           the
           Beauty
           of
           Providence
           in
           some
           rugged
           passages
           of
           it
           .
           T
           is
           so
           in
           everyother
           partīcular
           ,
           though
           seeming
           unto
           us
           never
           so
           deformed
           .
           But
           man
           cannot
           find
           out
           the
           work
           of
           God
           from
           the
           beginning
           to
           the
           end
           .
        
         
           For
           the
           further
           evidencing
           of
           this
           truth
           ,
           
           there
           are
           two
           grounds
           upon
           which
           't
           is
           bottomed
           ,
           that
           being
           rightly
           understood
           and
           considered
           ,
           will
           make
           the
           point
           very
           clear
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           God
           is
           exactly
           carefull
           of
           every
           thing
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           He
           is
           infinitely
           wise
           for
           the
           disposall
           of
           all
           to
           the
           best
           .
        
         
         
           1.
           
           God
           doth
           overlook
           
           all
           things
           by
           an
           especiall
           Providence
           .
           
             Ephes.
          
           1.
           11.
           
           
             He
             worketh
             all
             things
             after
             the
             counsell
             of
             his
             own
             will
             .
          
           There
           is
           no
           event
           in
           the
           world
           but
           it
           is
           ordered
           both
           according
           to
           Gods
           
             will
             ,
          
           and
           by
           his
           
             counsell
             .
             Psal.
          
           135.
           6.
           
           
             Whatsoever
             the
             Lord
             pleased
             ,
             that
             did
             he
             ,
             both
             in
             heaven
             ,
             and
             in
             earth
             ,
             and
             in
             the
             Sea
             ,
             and
             in
             all
             deep
             places
             .
          
           Not
           onely
           in
           the
           
             heaven
             ,
          
           where
           his
           glory
           is
           more
           especially
           conspicuous
           ,
           but
           in
           
             the
             earth
          
           too
           ,
           where
           matters
           seem
           to
           be
           full
           of
           confusion
           ;
           And
           in
           
             the
             Sea
             ,
             and
             in
             all
             deep
             places
             ,
          
           where
           we
           cannot
           so
           much
           as
           take
           notice
           of
           them
           .
           There
           is
           nothing
           
           so
           
             great
          
           but
           is
           under
           his
           
             power
             ;
          
           nothing
           so
           
             little
          
           but
           is
           within
           his
           
             care
             .
          
           Those
           actions
           and
           events
           that
           seem
           unto
           us
           most
           
             free
             ,
             casuall
             ,
             inconsiderable
             ,
          
           are
           all
           of
           them
           ordered
           by
           his
           providence
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           That
           which
           is
           
             most
             free
             ,
          
           the
           hearts
           and
           affections
           of
           men
           do
           follow
           the
           guidance
           of
           his
           decrees
           ;
           men
           may
           do
           after
           their
           own
           counsels
           and
           inclinations
           ,
           but
           they
           are
           still
           sutable
           to
           his
           Providence
           ;
           there
           is
           nothing
           more
           in
           our
           command
           ,
           then
           our
           thoughts
           and
           words
           ,
           and
           yet
           both
           
             the
             preparation
             of
             the
             heart
             ,
             and
             the
             answer
             of
             the
             tongue
             is
             from
             the
             Lord
             .
          
           Prov.
           16.
           1.
           
        
         
         
           2.
           
           That
           which
           seems
           most
           
             casuall
             ,
             The
             disposing
             the
             Lot
             is
             from
             him
             .
          
           Prov.
           16.
           33.
           
           He
           who
           is
           accidentally
           slain
           by
           another
           is
           said
           
             to
             be
             delivered
             into
             his
             hands
             by
             God
             .
             Exod.
          
           21.
           13.
           
           That
           casuall
           arrow
           shot
           at
           random
           was
           directed
           by
           Providence
           to
           fulfill
           the
           prediction
           of
           
             Ahaós
          
           death
           .
           1
           
             Kin.
          
           22.
           34
           
           There
           is
           no
           libertie
           for
           causes
           to
           operate
           in
           a
           loose
           and
           stragling
           way
           ,
           but
           in
           matters
           of
           greatest
           uncertainty
           there
           is
           a
           pre-ordained
           course
           of
           effects
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           
             The
             least
             most
             inconsiderable
             things
             ,
          
           are
           not
           neglected
           by
           Providence
           .
           It
           was
           a
           
             *
          
           prophane
           
           speech
           of
           the
           Aramites
           ,
           
           
             That
             God
             was
             the
             God
             of
             the
             mountains
             ,
             not
             of
             the
             valleys
             .
          
           1
           
             King.
          
           20.
           23.
           whereas
           he
           regards
           
             the
             lowest
             the
             least
          
           thing
           as
           well
           as
           the
           
             greatest
             .
          
           The
           
             young
             Lions
             ,
          
           Psal.
           104.
           21.
           
           The
           
             Ravens
             ,
          
           Psal.
           147.
           9.
           are
           provided
           for
           by
           him
           .
           He
           feeds
           the
           
             fowls
             of
             the
             air
             ,
          
           adorns
           the
           
             lilly
             ,
          
           and
           clothes
           
             the
             grasse
             of
             the
             field
             ,
             which
             to
             day
             is
             ,
             and
             to
             morrow
             is
             cast
             into
             the
             oven
             .
          
           Sparrows
           (
           you
           know
           )
           are
           but
           cheap
           birds
           ,
           
             Are
             not
             two
             of
             them
             sold
             for
             a
             farthing
             ?
          
           Matth.
           10.
           29.
           
           
             And
             yet
             not
             one
             of
             these
             doth
             fall
             to
             the
             ground
             without
             your
             Father
             .
          
           He
           must
           give
           the
           Fowler
           leave
           to
           kill
           them
           ;
           nay
           
           when
           they
           are
           upon
           the
           wing
           in
           their
           frequent
           and
           often
           repeated
           motions
           ,
           yet
           then
           it
           is
           he
           that
           must
           appoint
           them
           the
           time
           and
           place
           when
           and
           where
           they
           shall
           settle
           ;
           and
           in
           this
           sence
           also
           ,
           
             not
             one
             of
             them
             doth
             fall
             to
             the
             ground
             without
             your
             Father
             .
          
           The
           hairs
           of
           our
           head
           ,
           are
           yet
           lesse
           observable
           ,
           contemptible
           even
           to
           a
           Proverb
           ,
           
             Pili
             non
             facio
             ,
             Ne
             pilo
             quidem
             melius
             .
          
           And
           yet
           these
           with
           God
           ,
           are
           
             inter
             numerata
             ,
          
           amongst
           those
           things
           whereof
           he
           takes
           an
           exact
           account
           .
        
         
           That
           place
           ,
           1
           
             Cor.
          
           9.
           9.
           
           
             Doth
             God
             take
             care
             for
             oxen
             ?
          
           doth
           not
           simply
           exempt
           
           such
           things
           from
           thelaw
           of
           his
           Providence
           ;
           but
           t
           is
           
             Argumentum
             a
             minori
             ,
          
           and
           doth
           imply
           his
           more
           especiall
           care
           of
           that
           higher
           rank
           of
           creatures
           to
           whom
           these
           are
           subordinate
           .
           The
           plain
           meaning
           of
           it
           is
           ,
           That
           if
           God
           hath
           by
           a
           particular
           law
           provided
           that
           the
           Ox
           should
           not
           be
           muzled
           ,
           which
           treads
           out
           the
           corn
           ,
           He
           will
           be
           much
           more
           carefull
           of
           the
           labourers
           in
           his
           Harvest
           .
        
         
           T
           is
           recorded
           to
           the
           glory
           of
           some
           Ancient
           Generals
           ,
           that
           they
           were
           able
           to
           call
           every
           common
           Souldier
           by
           his
           own
           name
           ,
           and
           carefull
           to
           provide
           ,
           not
           onely
           
             pay
          
           
           for
           their
           Captains
           ,
           but
           
             litter
          
           also
           for
           the
           meanest
           beast
           that
           did
           serve
           the
           Camp
           .
           Now
           you
           know
           there
           is
           not
           any
           creature
           but
           is
           a
           souldier
           to
           the
           Lord
           of
           hosts
           ,
           he
           doth
           sometimes
           muster
           up
           an
           Army
           of
           lice
           &
           flies
           ,
           and
           therefore
           t
           is
           but
           reason
           that
           his
           Providence
           should
           take
           care
           for
           such
           things
           also
           .
           Why
           should
           it
           not
           be
           as
           great
           an
           argument
           of
           his
           power
           to
           preserve
           and
           
             order
          
           these
           lesser
           creatures
           ,
           as
           it
           was
           at
           first
           to
           
             make
             them
             ?
          
           The
           creation
           of
           a
           glorious
           Angel
           ,
           did
           not
           cost
           him
           more
           ,
           then
           that
           of
           a
           despicable
           fly
           .
           Was
           it
           not
           he
           ,
           that
           out
           of
           the
           same
           
           primitive
           nothing
           ,
           put
           that
           difference
           ,
           which
           there
           is
           amongst
           severall
           natures
           ?
           And
           if
           the
           Painter
           in
           the
           same
           peece
           draw
           a
           silken
           &
           a
           woollen
           garment
           ,
           why
           should
           he
           value
           the
           one
           above
           the
           other
           ,
           since
           it
           was
           the
           same
           art
           that
           did
           both
           make
           and
           distinguish
           them
           ?
        
         
           2.
           
           As
           his
           Providence
           
           doth
           extend
           to
           al
           things
           ;
           so
           likewise
           does
           
             his
             wisedome
             .
          
           As
           he
           is
           exactly
           carefull
           ,
           so
           is
           he
           infinitely
           wise
           ;
           &
           therefore
           as
           able
           for
           the
           contrivance
           of
           every
           the
           least
           particular
           thing
           ,
           as
           he
           would
           be
           ,
           if
           he
           had
           nothing
           but
           that
           to
           look
           after
           .
           If
           the
           Providence
           
           of
           God
           had
           but
           
             one
             project
          
           on
           foot
           ,
           we
           could
           easily
           conceive
           how
           he
           might
           be
           able
           to
           drive
           that
           through
           all
           the
           windings
           and
           circumstances
           of
           it
           ,
           with
           care
           and
           wisedom
           .
           Nay
           we
           would
           trust
           any
           wise
           man
           with
           the
           managing
           of
           
             a
             single
             busines
             ,
          
           when
           he
           had
           nothing
           else
           to
           distract
           his
           endeavours
           :
           But
           for
           all
           those
           multitude
           of
           affairs
           amongst
           men
           and
           Angels
           ,
           nay
           for
           the
           very
           
             circumstances
          
           and
           
             manner
          
           of
           all
           those
           severall
           actions
           and
           motions
           ,
           which
           are
           performed
           in
           every
           moment
           of
           time
           through
           the
           whole
           world
           ;
           we
           cannot
           conceive
           
           but
           that
           in
           such
           a
           tumult
           of
           businesse
           ,
           the
           eye
           of
           Providence
           may
           be
           sometimes
           over-seen
           .
           But
           this
           arises
           from
           our
           mistake
           of
           the
           Divine
           nature
           ,
           we
           measure
           God
           by
           our
           own
           
             finite
             abilities
             ,
          
           whereas
           we
           should
           consider
           ,
           that
           that
           which
           is
           
             infinite
          
           cannot
           be
           confined
           by
           time
           ,
           or
           number
           ,
           or
           place
           ;
           but
           is
           as
           well
           able
           at
           all
           times
           ,
           to
           look
           to
           all
           things
           ,
           in
           all
           places
           ,
           as
           if
           there
           were
           only
           one
           businesse
           to
           be
           cared
           for
           :
           You
           may
           see
           some
           imperfect
           resemblance
           of
           this
           amongst
           the
           Creatures
           .
           Do
           but
           consider
           the
           
             Sun
          
           how
           that
           at
           the
           same
           time
           ,
           without
           labour
           or
           
           confusion
           ,
           is
           imployed
           in
           divers
           services
           for
           all
           the
           creatures
           under
           heaven
           .
           The
           distinctions
           of
           seasons
           ,
           the
           growth
           of
           severall
           plants
           ,
           its
           various
           influence
           upon
           Minerals
           ,
           the
           cherishing
           of
           living
           creatures
           ,
           with
           sundrie
           other
           such
           variety
           of
           imployments
           ,
           which
           we
           are
           not
           able
           so
           much
           as
           to
           take
           notice
           of
           .
           Or
           else
           ,
           do
           but
           mark
           the
           nature
           of
           the
           
             Soul
             ,
          
           which
           at
           the
           same
           time
           perhaps
           doth
           
             contemplate
          
           heaven
           ,
           
             direct
          
           the
           body
           in
           its
           sundrie
           motions
           ,
           
             distribute
          
           the
           food
           in
           a
           wise
           proportion
           to
           the
           severall
           parts
           ,
           not
           neglecting
           so
           much
           as
           the
           least
           hair
           about
           it
           ,
           
           but
           supplying
           that
           with
           sutable
           nourishment
           .
           And
           all
           this
           it
           does
           without
           wearinesse
           or
           distraction
           .
           And
           if
           a
           creature
           can
           do
           thus
           ,
           much
           more
           then
           the
           Creator
           ,
           who
           gives
           to
           every
           thing
           its
           proper
           abilitie
           ,
           and
           doth
           actuate
           all
           things
           ,
           by
           a
           more
           immediate
           assistance
           then
           the
           Soul
           it self
           .
           So
           that
           though
           we
           suppose
           
             infinite
             occasions
             ,
          
           (
           which
           notwithstanding
           creatures
           are
           not
           capable
           of
           )
           yet
           the
           Providence
           and
           wisedome
           of
           God
           is
           
             infinite
          
           also
           ;
           and
           there
           is
           the
           same
           proportion
           of
           infinite
           to
           infinite
           ,
           as
           of
           one
           to
           one
           .
        
         
           Now
           put
           both
           these
           
           Reasons
           together
           ,
           if
           the
           Providence
           of
           God
           be
           thus
           
             exactly
             carefull
          
           of
           every
           the
           least
           particular
           :
           If
           he
           be
           thus
           
             infinitely
             wise
          
           for
           the
           disposall
           of
           all
           to
           the
           best
           ,
           no
           wonder
           then
           ,
           though
           every
           event
           in
           the
           world
           be
           both
           beautiful
           ,
           and
           in
           its
           time
           .
        
         
           For
           the
           further
           clearing
           of
           this
           truth
           ,
           there
           
           are
           two
           doubts
           or
           
             quaeries
          
           to
           be
           resolved
           ,
           that
           seem
           to
           oppose
           it
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           What
           's
           the
           reason
           why
           this
           Beauty
           of
           Providence
           doth
           not
           appear
           to
           us
           ,
           but
           that
           many
           things
           seem
           so
           full
           of
           disorder
           and
           confusion
           in
           the
           world
           ?
        
         
           2.
           
           How
           may
           this
           consist
           
           with
           the
           permission
           of
           finfull
           actions
           ,
           which
           can
           neither
           be
           beautifull
           nor
           seasonable
           ?
        
         
           I
           begin
           with
           the
           first
           ,
           to
           shew
           the
           reason
           why
           in
           so
           many
           things
           we
           cannot
           discern
           this
           beautie
           of
           Providence
           .
           The
           verse
           of
           the
           text
           tels
           us
           ,
           
             That
             man
             cannot
             finde
             out
             the
             work
             of
             God
             from
             the
             beginning
             to
             the
             end
             :
          
           that
           is
           ,
           t
           is
           above
           humane
           capacity
           to
           comprehend
           the
           reason
           of
           all
           divine
           proceedings
           ,
           we
           cannot
           finde
           them
           fully
           out
           ,
           from
           the
           beginning
           to
           the
           end
           .
           And
           so
           
             Job
          
           9.
           10.
           
           
             He
             doth
             great
             things
             past
             finding
             out
             :
             Lo
             ,
             he
             goeth
             by
             me
             ,
             and
             I
             see
             him
             not
             ;
             He
             passeth
             on
             also
             
             but
             I
             perceive
             him
             not
             .
          
           And
           again
           ,
           Chap.
           23.
           8
           ,
           9.
           
           
             Behold
             ,
             I
             go
             forward
             ,
             but
             he
             is
             not
             there
             ;
             and
             backward
             ,
             but
             I
             cannot
             perceive
             him
             :
             on
             the
             left
             hand
             where
             he
             doth
             work
             ,
             but
             I
             cannot
             behold
             him
             ;
             he
             hideth
             himself
             on
             the
             right
             hand
             ,
             that
             I
             cannot
             see
             him
             .
          
           The
           meaning
           is
           ,
           that
           where
           ever
           
             Job
          
           turned
           his
           eyes
           ,
           there
           were
           still
           some
           passages
           of
           Providence
           which
           he
           could
           not
           apprehend
           the
           meaning
           of
           .
           God
           hath
           reserved
           this
           as
           a
           peculiar
           prerogative
           to
           himself
           .
           
             It
             is
             not
             for
             us
             to
             know
             the
             times
             and
             the
             seasons
             ,
             which
             the
             Father
             hath
             put
             in
             his
             own
             power
             .
          
           Act.
           1.
           7.
           
        
         
           There
           may
           be
           a
           twofold
           
           reason
           of
           this
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           The
           obscuritie
           of
           the
           things
           themselves
           .
           There
           are
           
             treasures
             of
             wisedome
             ,
          
           Col.
           2.
           3.
           
           Not
           onely
           for
           their
           
             preciousnesse
             ,
          
           but
           for
           their
           
             privatenesse
          
           too
           .
           
             Hidden
             wisedome
             ,
          
           2
           Cor.
           1.
           7.
           
           
             Secrets
             of
             wisdom
             ,
             And
             these
             are
             double
             to
             that
             which
             is
          
           (
           as
           
             Zophar
          
           speaks
           )
           
             Job
          
           11.
           6.
           that
           is
           ,
           Those
           concealed
           providences
           ,
           wch
           we
           do
           not
           discern
           the
           reason
           of
           ,
           are
           of
           much
           greater
           proportion
           then
           those
           that
           appear
           .
           We
           read
           in
           that
           fore-cited
           place
           ,
           
             Ezek.
          
           1.
           16.
           of
           
             a
             wheel
             within
             a
             wheel
             ,
          
           signifying
           those
           involutions
           and
           intricacies
           which
           there
           are
           in
           the
           wayes
           of
           
           Providence
           .
           And
           the
           Psalmist
           tels
           us
           that
           
             His
             way
             is
             in
             the
             Sea
             ,
             and
             his
             paths
             in
             the
             great
             waters
             ;
             and
             his
             footsteps
             are
             not
             known
             .
          
           Psal.
           77.
           19.
           
        
         
           As
           it
           is
           in
           the
           works
           of
           
             Nature
             ,
          
           where
           there
           are
           many
           common
           things
           of
           excellent
           beauty
           ,
           which
           for
           their
           
             littlenesse
          
           do
           not
           fall
           under
           our
           sence
           ;
           they
           that
           have
           experimented
           the
           use
           of
           
             Microscopes
             ;
          
           can
           tell
           ,
           how
           in
           the
           parts
           of
           the
           most
           minute
           creatures
           ,
           there
           may
           be
           discerned
           such
           gildings
           and
           embroderies
           ,
           and
           such
           curious
           varietie
           as
           another
           would
           scarse
           believe
           .
           Why
           t
           is
           so
           in
           the
           works
           of
           
             Providence
             ,
          
           there
           are
           
           very
           many
           passages
           of
           frequent
           daily
           occurrence
           ,
           whose
           excellent
           contrivance
           doth
           not
           fall
           under
           our
           sence
           or
           observation
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           Our
           own
           ignorance
           and
           short
           sightednesse
           ,
           and
           that
           in
           a
           twofold
           respect
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           We
           cannot
           see
           that
           
             end
             and
             drift
          
           which
           Providence
           aimes
           at
           in
           many
           particulars
           ;
           and
           therefore
           ,
           no
           wonder
           though
           they
           seem
           unto
           us
           rude
           and
           uncomely
           .
           We
           measure
           things
           by
           this
           false
           ballance
           of
           
             opinion
             ,
          
           which
           weighs
           onely
           their
           
             outsides
             ,
          
           and
           doth
           not
           look
           upon
           their
           
             ends
          
           and
           
             relations
             .
          
           Now
           the
           beauty
           of
           
           things
           doth
           consist
           much
           in
           their
           tendency
           and
           reference
           to
           their
           proper
           ends
           .
           If
           an
           ignoraut
           man
           that
           knows
           not
           the
           reason
           of
           a
           Winde-mill
           or
           Water-mill
           ,
           should
           look
           upon
           them
           onely
           as
           places
           of
           
             habitation
             ,
          
           he
           cannot
           think
           them
           well
           scituated
           ,
           where
           they
           are
           so
           much
           exposed
           to
           the
           violence
           of
           winds
           &
           waves
           :
           whereas
           he
           that
           understands
           how
           the
           wisdome
           of
           the
           Artificer
           hath
           contrived
           those
           motions
           unto
           
             usefull
             ends
             ,
          
           must
           needs
           confesse
           a
           beauty
           and
           comelinesse
           in
           the
           work
           .
           T
           is
           so
           likewise
           in
           the
           events
           of
           Providence
           ,
           which
           none
           can
           rightly
           
           apprehend
           ,
           but
           he
           that
           understands
           the
           speciall
           drift
           and
           purposes
           which
           they
           are
           designed
           to
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           We
           cannot
           see
           
             the
             whole
             frame
             of
             things
             ,
          
           how
           sundry
           particular
           events
           in
           a
           mutuall
           relation
           do
           concur
           to
           make
           up
           the
           beauty
           of
           the
           whole
           .
           He
           that
           can
           discern
           onely
           two
           or
           three
           wheels
           in
           a
           Clock
           ,
           how
           they
           move
           one
           against
           another
           ,
           would
           presently
           think
           ,
           that
           there
           were
           
             contrariety
          
           and
           
             confusion
          
           in
           the
           work
           .
           Whereas
           he
           that
           beholds
           
             the
             whole
             frame
             ,
          
           and
           discerns
           how
           all
           those
           divers
           motions
           do
           joyntly
           conduce
           to
           the
           same
           end
           ,
           cannot
           choose
           but
           acknowledge
           
           a
           wise
           order
           in
           the
           contrivance
           of
           it
           .
           So
           likewise
           is
           it
           in
           the
           
             frame
             of
             times
             ,
          
           where
           he
           alone
           is
           fit
           to
           judge
           of
           particulars
           ,
           who
           understands
           how
           they
           refer
           to
           
             the
             generall
             .
          
           But
           now
           
             we
             are
             but
             of
             yesterday
             and
             know
             nothing
             ,
             because
             our
             dayes
             upon
             earth
             are
             as
             a
             shadow
          
           (
           saith
           
             Bildad
             )
             Job
          
           8.
           9.
           
           We
           look
           upon
           things
           according
           to
           a
           
             short
             succession
             ,
          
           and
           so
           are
           not
           able
           to
           discern
           that
           beautie
           which
           there
           is
           in
           their
           references
           to
           other
           matters
           
             a
             farre
             of
             .
          
           But
           now
           
             to
             God
             a
          
           
           
             thousand
             yeers
             are
             but
             as
             one
             day
             .
          
           He
           beholds
           all
           things
           whether
           past
           or
           to
           come
           in
           the
           same
           
             instant
             .
          
           There
           
           is
           no
           
             succession
          
           in
           eternity
           ,
           but
           all
           things
           within
           the
           reach
           of
           time
           are
           
             present
          
           unto
           that
           .
           Though
           in
           the
           revolution
           of
           a
           wheel
           ,
           there
           be
           a
           mutuall
           succession
           betwixt
           the
           parts
           contained
           
             in
             it
             ;
          
           yet
           an
           eye
           that
           is
           placed
           
             without
          
           can
           at
           the
           same
           time
           discern
           the
           whole
           motion
           .
           Thus
           also
           is
           it
           in
           the
           revolution
           of
           time
           ,
           where
           though
           there
           be
           a
           mutuall
           succession
           ,
           betwixt
           those
           things
           that
           are
           contained
           
             under
             time
             ,
          
           yet
           God
           who
           is
           
             without
          
           and
           
             above
             it
             ,
          
           doth
           at
           the
           same
           view
           behold
           all
           together
           .
           So
           that
           't
           is
           no
           wonder
           ,
           though
           many
           things
           seeme
           beautifull
           to
           him
           ,
           
           which
           to
           us
           who
           are
           so
           short-sighted
           may
           appear
           harsh
           and
           deformed
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           The
           2d
           .
           
             Quaerie
          
           was
           this
           .
           If
           there
           be
           such
           an
           over-ruling
           Providence
           ,
           which
           doth
           dispose
           of
           all
           to
           the
           best
           ;
           how
           comes
           it
           to
           passe
           that
           there
           are
           so
           many
           sinfull
           actions
           in
           the
           world
           ?
        
         
           To
           this
           I
           answer
           two
           things
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           
             When
             men
             thwart
             Gods
             will
             of
             Precept
             ,
             they
             serve
             his
             will
             of
             Providence
             .
          
           Those
           particular
           intersts
           of
           gain
           ,
           honour
           ,
           pleasure
           ,
           revenge
           ,
           which
           sway
           mens
           desires
           and
           actions
           ,
           are
           wisely
           contrived
           to
           the
           promoting
           of
           Gods
           decrees
           and
           glory
           .
           When
           
           
             Augustus
          
           made
           the
           generall
           tax
           upon
           the
           world
           ,
           His
           end
           was
           to
           inrich
           himself
           ,
           and
           fill
           his
           coffers
           But
           God
           used
           it
           as
           a
           means
           to
           fulfill
           the
           prophesie
           of
           Christs
           birth
           at
           
             Bethlehem
             .
             Rehoboam
             ,
          
           and
           
             Jehu
             ,
          
           and
           
             Cyrus
             ,
          
           had
           all
           their
           severall
           aymes
           ,
           in
           those
           works
           ,
           wherin
           they
           were
           subservient
           to
           Providence
           And
           they
           did
           stil
           accomplish
           his
           counsell
           in
           prosecuting
           their
           own
           designes
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           
             That
             which
             in
             respect
             of
             mans
             execution
             is
             wicked
             and
             disorderly
             ,
             in
             respect
             of
             Gods
             appointment
             is
             beautiful
             and
             comely
             .
          
           There
           could
           not
           be
           any
           more
           horrid
           act
           ,
           then
           the
           Betraying
           
           and
           crucifying
           of
           our
           blessed
           Saviour
           ;
           and
           yet
           even
           in
           this
           ,
           as
           it
           was
           
             decreed
             by
             the
             determinate
             counsell
             and
             fore-knowledge
             of
             God
             :
          
           Act.
           2.
           23.
           there
           was
           the
           greatest
           miracle
           of
           divine
           wisedome
           that
           ever
           was
           extended
           to
           the
           creature
           .
           Such
           depths
           of
           policy
           ,
           which
           all
           the
           subtiltie
           of
           men
           or
           Angels
           ,
           was
           not
           able
           to
           
             contrive
             ,
          
           no
           nor
           to
           
             suspect
             ,
          
           
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
          
           ,
           as
           the
           Apostle
           cals
           it
           ,
           
             Ephes.
          
           3.
           10.
           
           
             Interchangeable
             wisedom
             ,
          
           of
           
             curious
             variety
             ,
          
           as
           the
           word
           signifies
           .
           Now
           if
           God
           could
           thus
           mannage
           the
           
             worst
          
           action
           of
           man
           to
           the
           
             best
          
           advantage
           of
           man
           ,
           well
           then
           may
           we
           conclude
           ,
           that
           
           every
           event
           of
           providence
           is
           beautifull
           in
           its
           time
           .
        
         
           I
           have
           now
           done
           with
           the
           
             Explication
          
           and
           
             Confirmation
          
           
           of
           the
           text
           .
           In
           the
           
             Application
             ,
          
           it
           may
           be
           usefull
           for
           these
           lessons
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           For
           
             Information
             ,
          
           and
           that
           in
           a
           twofold
           respect
           .
           
        
         
           1.
           
           It
           may
           teach
           us
           our
           duty
           to
           take
           notice
           of
           ,
           and
           observe
           the
           works
           of
           Providence
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           It
           may
           direct
           us
           what
           to
           judge
           of
           the
           affairs
           of
           these
           times
           ,
           under
           which
           we
           are
           fallen
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           If
           all
           the
           events
           of
           Providence
           ,
           be
           so
           wisely
           contrived
           ,
           t
           is
           certainly
           then
           our
           duty
           to
           consider
           and
           to
           take
           notice
           of
           them
           .
           
             Psal.
          
           111.
           2.
           
           
             The
             
             works
             of
             the
             Lord
             are
             great
             ,
             sought
             out
             of
             all
             them
             that
             have
             pleasure
             therein
             .
          
           And
           again
           ,
           
             v.
          
           4.
           
           
             He
             hath
             so
             done
             his
             marvellous
             works
             that
             they
             ought
             to
             be
             had
             in
             remembrance
             .
          
           Now
           a
           man
           cannot
           be
           said
           to
           
             seek
             out
          
           or
           to
           
             remember
          
           that
           which
           he
           doth
           not
           carefully
           observe
           .
           T
           is
           the
           chief
           scope
           of
           that
           
             Psalm
          
           to
           excite
           men
           unto
           this
           duty
           .
           And
           
             David
          
           makes
           it
           a
           note
           of
           pietie
           for
           men
           to
           delight
           themselves
           in
           the
           contemplation
           of
           Gods
           works
           ,
           to
           
             remember
             him
             in
             his
             wayes
             ,
          
           as
           the
           Prophet
           
             Isaiah
          
           speaks
           .
           This
           ,
           
             Asaph
          
           
           found
           by
           experience
           to
           be
           a
           speciall
           Antidote
           against
           all
           diffidence
           and
           
           carnall
           fears
           .
           In
           the
           77.
           
           
             Psalm
          
           when
           he
           was
           surprized
           
           with
           those
           sad
           thoughts
           ,
           
             Will
             the
             Lord
             cast
             us
             off
             for
             ever
             ,
             and
             will
             he
             be
             no
             more
             intreated
             ?
             Hatb
             God
             forgotten
             to
             be
             gracious
             ?
          
           &c.
           he
           presently
           applyes
           himself
           to
           this
           remedie
           ,
           
             v.
          
           11
           ,
           12.
           
           
             I
             will
             remember
             the
             works
             of
             the
             Lord
             ,
             surely
             I
             will
             remember
             thy
             wonders
             of
             old
             :
             I
             will
             meditate
             also
             of
             thy
             works
             ,
             and
             talk
             of
             thy
             doings
             .
          
        
         
           If
           a
           man
           were
           but
           well
           read
           in
           the
           story
           and
           various
           passages
           of
           his
           life
           ,
           he
           might
           be
           able
           to
           make
           an
           experimentall
           divinitie
           of
           his
           own
           .
           He
           that
           is
           observant
           of
           Gods
           
             former
          
           dealings
           and
           dispensations
           
           towards
           him
           ,
           may
           be
           thence
           furnished
           with
           a
           rich
           treasury
           of
           experience
           against
           all
           
             future
          
           conditions
           .
        
         
           There
           are
           very
           many
           duties
           that
           depend
           upon
           a
           right
           understanding
           of
           the
           times
           .
           A
           man
           knows
           not
           how
           to
           order
           his
           services
           of
           
             prayer
          
           and
           
             praises
             ,
          
           without
           some
           observation
           and
           skill
           in
           these
           .
           It
           was
           a
           great
           commendation
           which
           was
           given
           to
           the
           men
           of
           
             Issachar
             ,
          
           that
           
             they
             had
             understanding
             in
             the
             times
             to
             know
             what
             Israel
             ought
             to
             do
             .
          
           1
           Chron.
           12.
           32.
           
           And
           the
           ignorance
           of
           these
           ,
           the
           wise
           man
           complains
           of
           ,
           as
           being
           a
           very
           great
           evil
           :
           
             Eccles.
          
           9.
           12.
           
           
             For
             
             man
             knoweth
             not
             his
             time
             ,
             but
             as
             fishes
             are
             taken
             in
             an
             evill
             net
             ,
             and
             as
             birds
             are
             caught
             in
             the
             snare
             ,
             so
             are
             the
             sons
             of
             men
             snared
             in
             an
             evil
             time
             when
             it
             fals
             suddenly
             upon
             them
             .
          
        
         
           Now
           this
           observance
           of
           Gods
           works
           and
           dispensations
           ,
           is
           a
           duty
           alwayes
           seasonable
           ,
           but
           more
           especially
           in
           such
           times
           as
           these
           .
           T
           is
           commonly
           observed
           ,
           that
           though
           smooth
           and
           peaceable
           times
           are
           best
           for
           the
           
             liver
             ,
          
           the
           man
           that
           lives
           in
           them
           ;
           yet
           times
           that
           are
           full
           of
           change
           and
           vicissitude
           are
           best
           for
           the
           
             writer
             ,
          
           the
           Historian
           that
           writes
           of
           them
           ;
           so
           though
           quiet
           seasons
           may
           best
           
           sute
           with
           our
           desires
           and
           outward
           condition
           ,
           yet
           these
           disturbed
           confused
           times
           ,
           may
           be
           best
           improved
           by
           observation
           ,
           and
           do
           most
           set
           forth
           the
           wisdom
           of
           Providence
           .
        
         
           The
           
             common
          
           providence
           of
           God
           in
           the
           various
           seasons
           and
           order
           of
           nature
           ,
           may
           afford
           excellent
           matter
           for
           contemplation
           ,
           much
           more
           that
           
             speciall
          
           providence
           of
           his
           in
           the
           guidance
           of
           humane
           affairs
           ,
           which
           have
           been
           alwayes
           mannaged
           with
           various
           wisdom
           .
        
         
           But
           especially
           in
           his
           dispensations
           towards
           these
           later
           ages
           ,
           wherein
           there
           have
           been
           many
           new
           ,
           unusuall
           emergencies
           ,
           
           such
           as
           our
           fore-fathers
           have
           not
           known
           .
        
         
           How
           many
           strange
           observable
           passages
           ,
           may
           a
           considering
           man
           pick
           out
           ,
           amongst
           the
           affairs
           of
           these
           few
           last
           yeers
           ?
           How
           strangely
           hath
           the
           whole
           course
           of
           things
           both
           in
           Church
           &
           State
           ,
           been
           turned
           about
           ,
           beyond
           all
           mens
           imaginations
           !
           How
           hath
           God
           in
           every
           respect
           ,
           and
           on
           all
           sides
           ,
           pusled
           the
           wisdom
           of
           the
           wise
           ,
           and
           enfeebled
           the
           strength
           of
           the
           mightie
           ,
           abating
           the
           glory
           of
           all
           humane
           power
           ,
           lifting
           himself
           up
           above
           others
           ,
           in
           those
           things
           wherein
           they
           dealt
           most
           proudly
           ,
           effecting
           great
           
           matters
           ,
           by
           despised
           means
           ;
           what
           strange
           ebbs
           and
           flowes
           of
           hope
           have
           we
           known
           ?
           When
           men
           have
           been
           most
           full
           of
           confidence
           ,
           then
           some
           unexpected
           accident
           hath
           intervened
           ,
           and
           disappointed
           all
           .
           So
           that
           the
           wisest
           men
           have
           been
           often
           put
           to
           stand
           at
           a
           gaze
           ,
           not
           knowing
           what
           to
           judge
           of
           the
           issue
           of
           things
           ;
           And
           (
           though
           we
           have
           not
           had
           leisure
           to
           observe
           it
           ,
           yet
           )
           there
           has
           been
           something
           equivalent
           to
           this
           ,
           in
           other
           Nations
           ▪
           The
           whole
           Christian
           world
           being
           generally
           full
           of
           strange
           commotions
           .
           Now
           we
           may
           certainly
           conclude
           ,
           that
           all
           
           these
           unusuall
           turns
           and
           changes
           of
           things
           are
           not
           for
           nothing
           .
           There
           is
           some
           great
           designe
           to
           be
           accomplished
           by
           them
           .
           T
           is
           our
           duty
           with
           
             diligence
          
           to
           observe
           the
           passages
           ,
           and
           with
           
             patience
          
           to
           attend
           the
           issue
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           This
           may
           direct
           us
           what
           to
           judge
           of
           the
           present
           times
           under
           which
           we
           are
           fallen
           .
           If
           it
           be
           so
           that
           every
           particular
           event
           is
           so
           exactly
           regular
           and
           beautifull
           ;
           hence
           then
           we
           may
           infer
           ,
           how
           all
           that
           confusion
           and
           disorder
           ,
           which
           seems
           to
           be
           in
           the
           affairs
           of
           these
           times
           ,
           is
           not
           so
           much
           in
           the
           things
           themselves
           ,
           as
           in
           our
           mistake
           of
           them
           .
           
           The
           
             Roughest
             Seasons
             ,
          
           (
           though
           they
           may
           be
           unsutable
           to
           our
           desires
           )
           yet
           have
           in
           them
           a
           proper
           comelinesse
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           times
           of
           the
           
             greatest
             serenity
             .
          
        
         
           True
           indeed
           ,
           the
           Scripture
           doth
           sometimes
           
           mention
           
             evill
             dayes
             ;
          
           but
           this
           is
           not
           so
           to
           be
           understood
           as
           if
           time
           in
           it self
           could
           be
           evil
           ,
           either
           
             Naturally
             ,
          
           for
           so
           God
           pronounced
           it
           good
           ;
           or
           
             Morally
             ,
          
           because
           t
           is
           not
           subjected
           to
           any
           morall
           rule
           :
           but
           onely
           
             accidentally
          
           in
           respect
           of
           our
           mistake
           and
           abuse
           of
           it
           :
           when
           either
           we
           judge
           of
           it
           according
           to
           our
           own
           
             wishes
             ,
          
           or
           mispend
           it
           according
           to
           our
           
           own
           
             lusts
             .
          
           T
           is
           onely
           unwise
           ,
           
           unholy
           men
           ,
           that
           make
           unhappy
           times
           .
        
         
           As
           in
           the
           
             works
             of
             Creation
          
           nothing
           is
           properly
           deformed
           ,
           but
           every
           thing
           hath
           a
           peculiar
           beauty
           ,
           according
           to
           tha
           rank
           and
           station
           wherein
           t
           is
           placed
           ;
           Though
           in
           vulgar
           speech
           we
           use
           to
           call
           a
           toad
           and
           a
           serpent
           ugly
           ,
           yet
           that
           is
           onely
           in
           reference
           to
           common
           esteeme
           ;
           Wheras
           in
           respect
           of
           the
           universe
           they
           are
           as
           regular
           and
           comely
           parts
           as
           any
           of
           the
           rest
           ;
           their
           outward
           shapes
           being
           sutable
           to
           their
           inward
           forms
           ,
           and
           those
           purposes
           for
           which
           they
           were
           intended
           .
           So
           is
           it
           
           likewise
           in
           
             the
             wayes
             of
             Providence
             ,
          
           those
           designes
           that
           in
           respect
           of
           our
           apprehensions
           are
           carried
           on
           by
           a
           crypticall
           involved
           method
           ,
           are
           yet
           in
           themselves
           of
           as
           excellent
           contrivance
           ,
           as
           any
           of
           those
           ,
           that
           seem
           to
           be
           of
           more
           facile
           and
           perspicuous
           order
           .
        
         
           If
           a
           man
           in
           these
           times
           shall
           with
           his
           reason
           consult
           onely
           the
           outward
           face
           of
           things
           ,
           they
           must
           needs
           seem
           full
           of
           irregularities
           &
           disorder
           ;
           when
           the
           spirits
           of
           men
           in
           the
           prosecution
           of
           the
           same
           ends
           ,
           and
           the
           pretence
           of
           
             publick
             welfare
          
           shall
           be
           imbittered
           against
           one
           another
           ,
           even
           to
           
             publick
             ruine
             ,
          
          
           
           
           
           when
           there
           is
           
             a
             violent
             perverting
             of
             judgement
             and
          
           
           
             justice
          
           in
           a
           Nation
           ;
           and
           
             on
             the
             side
             of
             the
             oppressor
             there
             is
             might
             ,
             but
             the
             oppressed
             have
             none
             to
             comfort
             them
             .
          
           
        
         
           When
           there
           is
           a
           totall
           subversion
           of
           those
           degrees
           ,
           in
           which
           the
           order
           and
           harmony
           of
           things
           doth
           consist
           ,
           
             Servants
             being
          
           
           
             on
             horses
             ,
             and
             Princes
             walking
             as
             servants
             on
             the
             earth
             .
             When
             the
             mountains
             are
             removed
             ,
          
           
           
             and
             the
             pillars
             of
             the
             earth
             tremble
             .
          
           When
           Religion
           and
           Laws
           (
           which
           are
           the
           
             foundations
          
           of
           a
           people
           )
           
             are
             out
             of
             course
             .
          
           
        
         
           And
           yet
           even
           in
           all
           this
           ,
           there
           may
           be
           a
           designe
           of
           Providence
           for
           our
           good
           .
           This
           is
           certain
           ,
           all
           Gods
           
           promises
           to
           his
           Church
           are
           infallibly
           true
           ,
           and
           all
           his
           dispensations
           (
           though
           never
           so
           crosse
           in
           outward
           appearance
           )
           have
           a
           tendency
           towards
           the
           fulfilling
           of
           those
           promises
           .
           And
           why
           should
           not
           a
           man
           rest
           himself
           in
           this
           beleif
           ?
        
         
           In
           our
           naturall
           enquiries
           after
           the
           
             efficient
          
           cause
           of
           things
           ,
           when
           our
           reason
           is
           at
           a
           stand
           ,
           we
           are
           fain
           sometimes
           to
           sit
           down
           ,
           and
           satisfie
           our selves
           ,
           in
           the
           notion
           of
           
             occult
             qualities
             ;
          
           And
           therefore
           much
           more
           should
           we
           be
           content
           to
           be
           ignorant
           in
           the
           
             finall
          
           cause
           of
           things
           ,
           which
           lye
           more
           deep
           &
           obscure
           then
           the
           other
           .
        
         
         
           Let
           no
           man
           then
           presume
           to
           censure
           the
           severall
           vicissitudes
           &
           changes
           of
           things
           ,
           as
           if
           they
           were
           unseasonable
           and
           ill
           contrived
           .
           Remember
           we
           are
           but
           short-sighted
           ,
           and
           cannot
           discern
           the
           various
           ,
           references
           ,
           and
           dependancies
           ,
           amongst
           the
           great
           affairs
           in
           the
           world
           ,
           and
           therefore
           may
           be
           easily
           mistaken
           in
           our
           opinion
           of
           them
           .
           We
           do
           in
           this
           world
           (
           for
           the
           most
           part
           )
           see
           onely
           the
           
             dark
             side
          
           of
           Providence
           .
           At
           the
           last
           &
           great
           day
           of
           
             manifestation
             ,
          
           when
           the
           whole
           plot
           of
           divine
           love
           shall
           be
           layed
           open
           ,
           then
           we
           shall
           be
           able
           to
           discern
           the
           beauty
           of
           Providence
           
           in
           al
           the
           rugged
           passages
           of
           it
           ,
           how
           
             tribulation
             ,
             distresse
             ,
             persecution
             ,
             famine
             ,
          
           
           
             nakednesse
             ,
             perill
             ,
             and
             the
             sword
             ,
             do
             all
             work
             for
             the
             best
             to
             those
             that
             love
             God
             .
          
        
         
           
             Judge
             nothing
             therefore
             before
             its
             time
             :
          
           1
           Cor.
           4.
           5.
           
           Consider
           ,
           
             We
             cannot
             see
             the
             works
             of
             God
             from
             the
             beginning
             to
             the
             end
             .
          
           And
           you
           know
           there
           is
           a
           vast
           difference
           ,
           betwixt
           the
           
             beginning
          
           and
           the
           
             end
          
           of
           a
           building
           .
           It
           may
           be
           our
           lots
           perhaps
           in
           these
           times
           ,
           to
           see
           onely
           the
           
             beginning
          
           of
           the
           fabrick
           ,
           when
           the
           old
           frame
           is
           demolished
           ,
           the
           rubbish
           lyes
           scattered
           about
           ,
           the
           new
           materials
           being
           so
           gathered
           into
           heaps
           Posterity
           perhaps
           
           may
           see
           the
           
             end
          
           of
           it
           ,
           when
           all
           these
           confused
           preparations
           shall
           be
           made
           up
           into
           a
           beautifull
           structure
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           This
           may
           serve
           for
           
           
             reproof
          
           of
           two
           sorts
           of
           persons
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           Those
           that
           do
           not
           observe
           or
           regard
           the
           works
           of
           the
           Lord
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           Those
           that
           murmur
           and
           repine
           at
           them
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           This
           may
           reprove
           those
           that
           do
           not
           observe
           or
           regard
           the
           works
           of
           the
           Lord
           .
           T
           is
           a
           great
           argument
           of
           Infidelity
           and
           irreligion
           ,
           when
           men
           let
           many
           remarkable
           providences
           passe
           by
           them
           without
           notice
           or
           observation
           .
           Or
           when
           they
           
           look
           upon
           them
           onely
           in
           a
           slight
           and
           superficiall
           manner
           ,
           like
           those
           whom
           the
           Prophet
           
             Isaiah
          
           complains
           of
           ,
           
             Seeing
             many
             things
             ,
             but
             observing
             not
             .
          
           
        
         
           This
           sin
           of
           inadvertencie
           of
           Gods
           various
           Providences
           ,
           hath
           been
           oftentimes
           severely
           
             threatned
          
           and
           
             punished
          
           in
           Scripture
           .
           
             Isa.
          
           5.
           12.
           
           
             Because
             they
             regard
             not
             the
             work
             of
             the
             Lord
             ,
             nor
             consider
             the
             operation
             of
             his
             hands
             ,
             therefore
             is
             my
             people
             gone
             into
             captivity
             .
          
           And
           again
           ,
           
             Jer.
          
           12.
           11.
           
           
             The
             whole
             Land
             is
             made
             desolate
             ,
             because
             no
             man
             layeth
             it
             to
             heart
             .
          
        
         
           The
           heaviest
           judgements
           that
           can
           befall
           a
           Nation
           ,
           are
           
             Captivity
          
           and
           
           
             Desalation
             .
          
           And
           yet
           they
           are
           both
           denounced
           against
           this
           stupiditie
           and
           carelesnesse
           of
           spirit
           .
           And
           you
           may
           guesse
           at
           the
           heinousnesse
           of
           the
           sin
           ,
           by
           the
           greatnesse
           of
           the
           punishment
           .
        
         
           T
           is
           a
           sin
           ,
           that
           is
           after
           a
           more
           especiall
           manner
           appropriated
           to
           wicked
           men
           .
           
             Psal.
          
           10.
           4
           ,
           5.
           
           
             The
             wicked
             through
             the
             pride
             of
             his
             countenance
             will
             not
             seek
             after
             God
             ;
             God
             is
             not
             in
             all
             his
             thoughts
             .
             Thy
             judgements
             are
             farre
             above
             out
             of
             his
             sight
             .
          
           Things
           that
           he
           never
           enquires
           after
           or
           regards
           ,
           as
           if
           he
           were
           not
           at
           all
           concerned
           in
           them
           .
           
             Que
             supra
             ●os
             nihil
             ad
             nos
             .
          
           He
           ●ooks
           no
           further
           then
           second
           
           causes
           ,
           unto
           which
           he
           ascribes
           the
           successe
           or
           miscarriage
           of
           events
           ;
           and
           doth
           not
           take
           notice
           of
           that
           divine
           Providence
           by
           whose
           influence
           they
           are
           guided
           .
           You
           see
           ,
           this
           is
           made
           the
           note
           of
           wicked
           men
           .
           And
           therefore
           ,
           as
           we
           would
           avoid
           that
           
             censure
             ,
          
           so
           wil
           it
           concern
           us
           to
           avoid
           the
           
             signe
             .
          
        
         
           2.
           
           This
           may
           serve
           for
           the
           reproof
           of
           those
           ,
           that
           murmure
           and
           repine
           at
           the
           works
           of
           Providence
           ,
           that
           take
           upon
           them
           the
           magisteriall
           judgement
           of
           events
           ;
           as
           if
           they
           could
           tell
           ,
           how
           to
           frame
           things
           much
           better
           ,
           and
           to
           contrive
           the
           issue
           of
           things
           to
           greater
           advantage
           .
           
           How
           ordinary
           is
           it
           ,
           for
           men
           to
           discourse
           thus
           ,
           concerning
           the
           great
           changes
           of
           these
           times
           ?
           As
           if
           the
           unsearchable
           wayes
           of
           God
           ,
           were
           to
           be
           judged
           before
           the
           tribunall
           of
           humane
           reason
           ;
           
             Who
             art
             thou
             O
             man
             that
             disputest
             with
             God
             ?
          
           (
           saith
           the
           Apostle
           )
           how
           despicable
           in
           comparison
           to
           his
           infinite
           majestie
           and
           wisedome
           .
           If
           there
           be
           a
           commonwealth
           amongst
           Ants
           and
           Bees
           (
           as
           some
           Naturalists
           say
           there
           is
           )
           't
           would
           make
           a
           man
           smile
           to
           think
           ,
           that
           they
           should
           take
           upon
           them
           the
           censure
           of
           State
           matters
           amongst
           us
           men
           ;
           and
           yet
           here
           the
           disproportion
           
           is
           finite
           ,
           whereas
           betwixt
           God
           and
           man
           t
           is
           infinite
           .
           
             As
             the
             heavens
             are
             higher
             then
             the
             earth
             ,
             so
             are
          
           
           
             my
             thoughts
             higher
             then
             your
             thoughts
             ;
             and
             my
             wayes
             then
             your
             wayes
             .
          
        
         
           He
           that
           will
           take
           upon
           him
           to
           mend
           the
           contrivance
           of
           things
           ,
           let
           him
           remember
           (
           saies
           one
           of
           the
           
             Stoicks
             )
          
           that
           the
           first
           thing
           he
           is
           to
           do
           ,
           is
           
             to
             mend
             God
             ,
          
           to
           teach
           him
           
           wisdom
           and
           care
           .
           And
           if
           he
           shall
           think
           himself
           unfit
           for
           that
           ,
           let
           him
           not
           presume
           upon
           this
           .
           For
           consider
           ,
           is
           not
           the
           Providence
           of
           God
           
             exactly
             carefull
          
           of
           every
           thing
           ?
           Is
           not
           he
           
             infinitely
             wise
          
           to
           dispose
           of
           all
           to
           the
           best
           ?
           
           Are
           not
           all
           things
           
             subservient
          
           to
           his
           will
           ?
           Why
           certainly
           then
           ,
           (
           however
           matters
           may
           appear
           to
           us
           )
           yet
           nothing
           could
           have
           been
           better
           then
           it
           is
           .
           Every
           thing
           shall
           prove
           for
           the
           best
           in
           respect
           of
           
             his
             glory
             ,
          
           and
           (
           if
           we
           belong
           to
           him
           )
           in
           respect
           of
           
             our
             good
          
           too
           .
        
         
           T
           is
           an
           observable
           check
           which
           
             Solomon
          
           gives
           to
           such
           presumptuous
           persons
           as
           are
           apt
           to
           repine
           at
           ,
           and
           censure
           the
           course
           of
           things
           .
           
             Eccles.
          
           7.
           10.
           
           
             Say
             not
             thou
             ,
             what
             is
             the
             cause
             why
             the
             former
             dayes
             were
             better
             then
             these
             ?
             far
             thou
             doest
             not
             enquire
             wisely
             concerning
             this
             .
          
           It
           should
           seem
           ,
           that
           those
           
           flourishing
           dayes
           of
           
             Solomon
             ,
          
           so
           very
           eminent
           for
           all
           kinde
           of
           plenty
           and
           peace
           
             (
             Silver
             being
             in
             Jerusalem
          
           
           
             as
             stones
             ;
             &
             Cedars
             ,
             as
             the
             Sycamores
             in
             the
             vale
             for
             abundance
             )
          
           were
           not
           yet
           without
           some
           morose
           repining
           spirits
           ,
           who
           were
           still
           maligning
           the
           present
           condition
           of
           things
           ;
           And
           therefore
           no
           wonder
           ,
           if
           we
           finde
           the
           like
           humor
           amongst
           men
           in
           other
           times
           .
        
         
           This
           the
           wiseman
           doth
           here
           reprove
           ,
           both
           by
           a
           
             prohibition
          
           and
           a
           
             reason
             .
          
        
         
           1.
           
           A
           prohibition
           .
           
             Say
             not
             thou
             ,
             What
             is
             the
             cause
             why
             the
             former
             dayes
             were
             better
             then
             these
             ?
          
           that
           is
           ,
           be
           not
           transported
           with
           
           that
           common
           humor
           ,
           of
           censuring
           and
           condemning
           the
           present
           state
           of
           times
           ,
           and
           commending
           the
           times
           past
           ;
           As
           if
           the
           course
           of
           events
           were
           not
           managed
           by
           the
           same
           wise
           Providence
           now
           ,
           which
           governed
           the
           world
           before
           .
           He
           doth
           not
           forbid
           men
           to
           enquire
           after
           the
           cause
           of
           publick
           sufferings
           ;
           For
           this
           is
           frequently
           elsewhere
           injoyned
           in
           Scripture
           ,
           that
           upon
           the
           occasion
           of
           any
           special
           judgement
           ,
           we
           should
           search
           and
           try
           our
           hearts
           ,
           consider
           our
           wayes
           ,
           and
           our
           doings
           ,
           labouring
           to
           find
           out
           the
           cause
           of
           Gods
           displeasure
           ,
           that
           we
           may
           
           accordingly
           meet
           him
           in
           his
           wayes
           .
           But
           the
           meaning
           is
           ,
           that
           we
           should
           not
           take
           upon
           us
           the
           peremptory
           censure
           of
           times
           and
           dispensations
           ,
           presuming
           to
           condemne
           those
           things
           ,
           which
           we
           cannot
           understand
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           The
           Reason
           .
           
             For
             thou
             dost
             not
             enquire
             wisely
             concerning
             this
             thing
             .
          
           That
           's
           a
           figurative
           expression
           stiled
           a
           
             Meiosis
             ,
          
           when
           a
           phrase
           signifies
           much
           more
           then
           the
           naked
           words
           do
           import
           .
           The
           meaning
           is
           ,
           t
           is
           extreame
           folly
           for
           men
           to
           take
           upon
           them
           the
           censure
           of
           times
           and
           providences
           ,
           as
           if
           they
           were
           competent
           judges
           of
           such
           matters
           .
        
         
         
           There
           are
           two
           places
           of
           Scripture
           ,
           that
           will
           make
           up
           a
           Sillogisme
           to
           prove
           this
           conclusion
           .
        
         
           
             He
             that
             judgeth
             of
             a
             matter
             before
             he
             hath
             inquired
             into
             ,
             and
             understands
             it
             ,
             It
             is
             folly
             and
             shame
             unto
             him
             :
          
           Prov.
           18.
           13.
           
           But
           now
           ,
           
             It
             doth
             not
             belong
             unto
             us
             to
             know
             the
             times
             and
             the
             seasons
             which
             the
             Father
             hath
             kept
             in
             his
             own
             power
             .
          
           Act.
           1.
           7.
           
           And
           therfore
           it
           must
           needs
           be
           folly
           to
           take
           upon
           us
           the
           magisteriall
           censure
           of
           such
           things
           .
        
         
           Every
           day
           hath
           its
           proper
           
             evill
             ,
          
           as
           well
           the
           former
           
           as
           these
           ;
           and
           every
           day
           hath
           its
           proper
           
             advantage
             ,
          
           as
           well
           these
           as
           the
           former
           .
           The
           verie
           
           dregs
           of
           time
           ,
           if
           we
           endeavour
           to
           make
           a
           right
           use
           of
           them
           ,
           may
           be
           redeemed
           
           into
           opportunitie
           .
        
         
           There
           are
           two
           reasons
           of
           mens
           offending
           in
           this
           kinde
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           When
           they
           look
           onely
           upon
           some
           
             particulars
             ,
          
           without
           the
           consideration
           of
           their
           
             proper
             ends
             ,
          
           or
           
             general
             frame
             ;
          
           Now
           t
           is
           true
           indeed
           that
           some
           particular
           events
           ,
           
             singly
          
           looked
           upon
           ,
           may
           seem
           very
           prejudiciall
           ;
           but
           the
           whole
           
             contexture
          
           of
           affairs
           in
           their
           
             cooperation
          
           shall
           prove
           for
           the
           best
           .
           All
           things
           shall
           
             work
             together
             ,
          
           
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
          
           for
           good
           to
           those
           that
           love
           God
           .
           
             Ro.
          
           8.
           28.
           
        
         
         
           But
           now
           t
           is
           above
           our
           capacity
           to
           comprehend
           the
           whole
           frame
           of
           things
           ;
           And
           that
           is
           not
           disorder
           in
           respect
           of
           the
           
             whole
             ,
          
           which
           to
           us
           may
           appear
           so
           ,
           being
           compared
           with
           some
           
             particulars
             .
          
           You
           know
           ,
           that
           in
           the
           naturall
           body
           ,
           the
           variety
           and
           dissimilitude
           of
           parts
           ,
           is
           required
           to
           the
           beauty
           of
           the
           whole
           ;
           the
           roundnesse
           of
           the
           head
           ,
           the
           length
           of
           the
           arm
           ,
           the
           flatnesse
           of
           the
           hand
           ,
           blacknesse
           in
           one
           part
           ,
           and
           whitenesse
           in
           another
           ;
           all
           these
           being
           singly
           compared
           amongst
           themselves
           ,
           though
           they
           may
           seem
           to
           argue
           some
           opposition
           and
           difformitie
           ,
           
           yet
           look
           upon
           them
           as
           they
           stand
           in
           relation
           to
           the
           whole
           frame
           ,
           and
           it
           will
           appear
           how
           in
           their
           severall
           waies
           ,
           they
           do
           each
           of
           them
           conduce
           to
           its
           comlinesse
           and
           order
           .
           If
           this
           lower
           world
           had
           in
           it
           no
           changes
           and
           varieties
           ,
           but
           were
           in
           all
           respects
           alike
           ,
           it
           would
           not
           then
           be
           so
           properly
           
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
          
           a
           beautiful
           world
           ,
           as
           
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
          
           ,
           a
           lump
           or
           masse
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           Another
           occasion
           of
           mens
           offending
           in
           this
           kinde
           ,
           is
           ,
           when
           they
           will
           judge
           of
           events
           ,
           according
           as
           they
           sute
           with
           their
           own
           wishes
           .
           And
           in
           this
           case
           ,
           t
           is
           impossible
           that
           every
           humor
           should
           be
           satisfied
           ;
           because
           particular
           
           desires
           ,
           (
           besides
           their
           opposition
           to
           one
           another
           )
           will
           likewise
           be
           inconsistent
           with
           the
           generall
           design
           .
           It
           would
           seem
           better
           perhaps
           to
           every
           private
           man
           ,
           if
           he
           himself
           were
           a
           Magistrate
           ,
           or
           a
           King
           ,
           and
           every
           common
           Souldier
           a
           Commander
           ,
           or
           a
           Generall
           .
           But
           how
           could
           this
           consist
           with
           the
           exigencies
           of
           a
           commonwealth
           ,
           or
           an
           Army
           ,
           where
           there
           must
           be
           degrees
           ,
           and
           disproportion
           of
           places
           according
           to
           the
           necessitie
           of
           severall
           imployments
           .
           T
           is
           so
           in
           the
           government
           of
           this
           great
           Universe
           :
           That
           difference
           which
           there
           is
           ,
           betwixt
           particular
           
           things
           ,
           and
           times
           and
           persons
           ,
           doth
           much
           conduce
           to
           the
           beauty
           and
           convenience
           of
           the
           whole
           .
        
         
           T
           is
           our
           safest
           way
           then
           to
           conclude
           that
           all
           matters
           are
           for
           the
           best
           ,
           
             beautiful
             in
             their
             times
             ,
          
           though
           to
           us
           they
           may
           seem
           full
           of
           disorder
           and
           contrariety
           .
           Thus
           the
           Apostle
           ,
           in
           that
           remarkable
           place
           
             Rom.
          
           11.
           33.
           speaking
           concerning
           the
           rejection
           of
           the
           Jews
           ,
           when
           God
           would
           cast
           off
           &
           destroy
           his
           peculiar
           people
           ,
           and
           that
           for
           his
           own
           glory
           and
           advantage
           ,
           He
           concludes
           ,
           
             His
             judgements
             are
             unsearchable
             ,
             and
             his
             wayes
             past
             finding
             out
             .
             But
             of
             him
             ,
          
           
           and
           
             to
             him
             ,
             are
             all
             things
             .
          
           As
           if
           he
           should
           have
           said
           ,
           God
           wil
           do
           this
           strange
           work
           ,
           and
           though
           for
           my
           part
           ,
           I
           know
           not
           the
           reason
           of
           it
           .
           
             His
             judgements
             are
             unsearchable
             ,
          
           &c.
           yet
           sure
           I
           am
           ,
           that
           
             of
             him
             ,
          
           and
           
             to
             him
          
           are
           all
           things
           ;
           that
           is
           ,
           as
           the
           making
           of
           all
           things
           ,
           was
           
             of
             his
             power
             ,
          
           so
           the
           resolution
           of
           all
           things
           shall
           be
           
             to
             his
             glory
             .
          
        
         
           Though
           
             his
             judgements
             are
             as
             the
             great
             deep
             ,
          
           for
           their
           obscurity
           and
           unmeasurablenesse
           ,
           not
           to
           be
           fathomed
           by
           our
           shallow
           apprehensions
           ;
           yet
           
             his
             righteousnesse
             is
             as
             the
             strong
             mountains
             ,
          
           for
           their
           eminency
           and
           stablenes
           .
           
             Psal.
          
           36.
           6.
           
           
             Though
             clouds
             
             and
             darknesse
             may
             be
             round
             about
             him
             ,
             yet
             righteousnes
             and
             judgement
             are
             the
             habitation
             of
             his
             throne
             .
          
           Psal.
           97.
           2.
           
        
         
           3.
           
           This
           may
           serve
           for
           
           
             Exhortation
             ,
          
           to
           perswade
           us
           unto
           these
           foure
           duties
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           Not
           to
           be
           too
           hasty
           in
           our
           desire
           or
           prosecution
           of
           any
           thing
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           Not
           to
           trouble
           our selves
           with
           any
           sollicitous
           care
           about
           the
           successe
           of
           things
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           To
           be
           equally
           prepared
           for
           all
           future
           events
           .
        
         
           4.
           
           To
           behave
           ourselves
           with
           chearfulnesse
           and
           contentment
           in
           all
           conditions
           .
        
         
         
           1.
           
           Hence
           we
           learn
           not
           to
           be
           
             too
             hasty
          
           in
           our
           desire
           or
           prosecution
           of
           any
           thing
           .
           God
           best
           knows
           the
           fittest
           season
           for
           every
           event
           ;
           we
           shall
           have
           it
           when
           its
           time
           is
           come
           ,
           and
           before
           that
           ,
           't
           would
           not
           be
           beautifull
           :
           
             Like
             snow
             in
             Harvest
          
           
           (
           as
           the
           Wiseman
           speaks
           )
           which
           though
           it
           might
           possibly
           be
           some
           
             refreshment
          
           to
           our
           particular
           ,
           yet
           would
           be
           a
           
             deformity
          
           in
           the
           course
           of
           Nature
           .
        
         
           There
           are
           some
           men
           ,
           whom
           the
           Prophet
           styles
           
           of
           a
           
             hasty
             heart
             ,
          
           
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
          
           
             Isa.
          
           35.
           4.
           who
           are
           too
           heady
           and
           impatient
           in
           their
           hopes
           .
           And
           it
           is
           a
           weaknesse
           that
           arises
           
           from
           our
           infidelity
           and
           distrust
           of
           Providence
           .
           
             For
             he
             that
             beleeveth
             ,
             maketh
             not
             haste
             .
          
           Cap.
           28.
           16.
           
           T
           is
           Gods
           usuall
           course
           to
           defer
           what
           he
           promises
           ,
           thereby
           to
           exercise
           our
           faith
           ,
           to
           put
           an
           edge
           on
           our
           desires
           ,
           and
           a
           value
           upon
           the
           blessing
           .
           In
           naturall
           affairs
           ,
           we
           are
           fain
           to
           expect
           the
           proper
           season
           ,
           and
           
             maturitie
          
           of
           things
           ;
           the
           husbandman
           will
           wait
           for
           his
           harvest
           ,
           he
           doth
           not
           expect
           to
           sowe
           and
           reap
           both
           in
           a
           day
           .
           It
           should
           be
           so
           likewise
           in
           other
           matters
           ;
           And
           since
           that
           is
           alwaies
           the
           fittest
           time
           for
           every
           thing
           which
           God
           appoints
           ,
           it
           will
           become
           us
           
           then
           patiently
           to
           wait
           his
           leisure
           ,
           and
           not
           with
           over-hasty
           desires
           to
           run
           before
           him
           .
        
         
           
             Abraham
          
           was
           fain
           to
           tarrie
           a
           long
           time
           for
           a
           Son
           ,
           
             David
          
           for
           a
           Kingdome
           ;
           and
           the
           whole
           world
           for
           
             Christ
             .
          
           He
           that
           rightly
           understands
           the
           worth
           of
           any
           blessing
           ,
           &
           his
           own
           want
           ,
           cannot
           think
           much
           to
           wait
           for
           it
           .
           The
           poore
           man
           ,
           at
           the
           pool
           of
           
             Bethesda
             ,
          
           being
           sensible
           of
           his
           own
           lamenesse
           ,
           was
           content
           to
           tarrie
           there
           38.
           yeers
           in
           hopes
           of
           remedie
           .
           Suppose
           a
           promise
           were
           deserred
           to
           the
           utmost
           ,
           yet
           do
           but
           compare
           the
           shortnesse
           of
           our
           lives
           ,
           
           with
           the
           duration
           of
           our
           souls
           and
           then
           no
           delay
           can
           seem
           tedious
           .
           
             Neque
          
           
           
             enim
             est
             aliquid
             in
             tam
             brevibus
             vitae
             metis
             ita
             serum
             quod
             longum
             expectaere
             immortalis
             putet
             animus
             .
          
           A
           man
           conscious
           to
           himself
           of
           his
           own
           immortalitie
           ,
           cannot
           think
           any
           time
           long
           ,
           which
           is
           confined
           within
           the
           narrow
           bounds
           of
           life
           .
        
         
           Is
           there
           then
           any
           mercie
           which
           thou
           expectest
           ?
           do
           not
           over
           rashly
           hasten
           it
           ,
           with
           any
           indirect
           project
           ,
           as
           if
           thou
           wert
           able
           to
           help
           the
           providence
           of
           God
           ,
           with
           wiles
           and
           devises
           of
           thine
           owne
           .
           Though
           it
           be
           long
           in
           coming
           ,
           yet
           it
           will
           come
           
           at
           last
           ,
           it
           cannot
           be
           more
           slow
           then
           sure
           .
           When
           
             Isaac
          
           was
           layed
           upon
           the
           Altar
           ,
           and
           bound
           for
           a
           sacrifice
           ,
           and
           his
           Fathers
           hand
           lift
           up
           for
           the
           fatal
           blow
           ,
           yet
           then
           there
           came
           a
           rescue
           from
           heaven
           ,
           which
           would
           not
           have
           been
           so
           beautifull
           ,
           if
           by
           any
           unlawfull
           act
           it
           had
           been
           hastned
           before
           that
           time
           ,
           either
           by
           
             Abrahams
          
           sparing
           his
           Son
           ,
           or
           
             Isaacs
          
           resisting
           his
           Father
           .
        
         
           
             Joseph
          
           did
           undergo
           a
           tedious
           imprisonment
           in
           the
           Land
           of
           
             Egypt
             ;
          
           t
           is
           likely
           ,
           being
           the
           key-keeper
           ,
           he
           might
           have
           taken
           his
           own
           time
           ,
           and
           have
           scaped
           when
           he
           would
           
           But
           then
           he
           had
           lost
           his
           preferment
           ;
           whereas
           by
           tarrying
           Gods
           leisure
           ,
           he
           was
           delivered
           with
           advantage
           .
           Though
           
             David
          
           had
           been
           a
           long
           while
           anointed
           to
           a
           Kingdome
           ,
           yet
           because
           he
           did
           not
           use
           any
           hasty
           means
           for
           the
           injoying
           of
           it
           ,
           therefore
           did
           Providence
           clear
           the
           passage
           for
           him
           ,
           and
           prospered
           it
           to
           him
           afterwards
           .
           He
           might
           have
           killed
           
             Saul
          
           in
           the
           Cave
           ,
           and
           
             Abner
          
           too
           ,
           when
           he
           
           found
           them
           sleeping
           ;
           but
           then
           he
           had
           been
           over-hastie
           :
           't
           were
           better
           they
           should
           fall
           by
           their
           Enemies
           .
           
             The
             Lord
             shall
             smite
             them
             when
             their
             day
             shall
             come
             to
             dye
             .
          
           1
           Sam.
           26.
           10.
           
           
           And
           before
           that
           ,
           't
           would
           be
           but
           rashnes
           to
           attempt
           it
           .
           And
           so
           likewise
           when
           he
           stopt
           himself
           in
           his
           haste
           after
           
             Nabals
          
           life
           ,
           you
           know
           within
           awhile
           after
           ,
           God
           took
           him
           away
           by
           his
           own
           immediate
           hand
           ,
           and
           gave
           both
           his
           wife
           and
           estate
           to
           
             David
             .
          
        
         
           An
           over
           forwardnesse
           in
           the
           hastning
           of
           our
           hopes
           ,
           is
           the
           ready
           way
           to
           imbitter
           them
           unto
           us
           .
           You
           know
           how
           much
           trouble
           and
           contention
           there
           grew
           ,
           from
           that
           hasty
           act
           of
           
             Sarah
             ,
          
           when
           in
           her
           distrust
           of
           the
           promise
           ,
           and
           fear
           of
           being
           childlesse
           ,
           she
           must
           needs
           give
           
             Hagar
          
           to
           
             Abraham
             .
          
           
           So
           likewise
           for
           
             Jacobs
          
           too
           much
           haste
           in
           getting
           the
           blessing
           by
           a
           wrong
           means
           ;
           you
           know
           it
           cost
           him
           afterwards
           ,
           many
           dangers
           ,
           and
           a
           tedious
           exile
           .
           Whereas
           if
           he
           had
           tarried
           longer
           ,
           God
           wold
           have
           brought
           it
           about
           for
           him
           by
           a
           more
           easie
           and
           beautifull
           way
           .
        
         
           Gods
           time
           is
           the
           best
           ,
           and
           he
           never
           fails
           his
           own
           season
           ,
           
             I
             the
             Lord
             will
             hasten
             it
             in
             its
             time
             .
          
           Isa.
           60
           22.
           
           For
           us
           to
           measure
           the
           fitnesse
           of
           seasons
           by
           our
           own
           weak
           apprehensions
           ,
           is
           not
           this
           to
           set
           the
           Son
           by
           our
           Diall
           ?
           We
           are
           too
           short-sighted
           ,
           apt
           to
           Ante-date
           the
           promises
           .
           
             The
             Lord
             
             will
             arise
             and
             have
             mercy
          
           
           
             upon
             Sion
             ,
             wben
             the
             time
             to
             favour
             her
             ;
             ye
             a
             when
             the
             set
             time
             is
             come
             .
          
           Psal.
           102.
           13.
           
        
         
           2.
           
           Hence
           we
           learn
           not
           to
           trouble
           our selves
           with
           any
           sollicitous
           care
           about
           the
           successe
           of
           things
           .
           To
           serve
           Providence
           is
           the
           usuall
           
             means
             ,
          
           that
           is
           our
           work
           ;
           But
           the
           
             issue
          
           and
           
             event
          
           of
           things
           that's
           Gods
           work
           ,
           we
           ,
           have
           nothing
           to
           do
           in
           it
           .
           That
           which
           is
           not
           under
           our
           
             power
             ,
          
           should
           not
           be
           under
           our
           
             care
             .
          
           If
           there
           be
           nothing
           at
           our
           disposall
           ,
           but
           that
           all
           events
           do
           depend
           upon
           an
           higher
           
           Providence
           ,
           't
           were
           but
           a
           vain
           thing
           then
           to
           busie
           our selves
           ,
           with
           hopes
           
           and
           fears
           about
           them
           .
           Much
           of
           the
           disquietnes
           amongst
           men
           in
           the
           world
           arises
           from
           hence
           ,
           that
           they
           busie
           themselves
           about
           Gods
           work
           ,
           and
           neglect
           their
           own
           .
        
         
           Is
           there
           then
           an
           
             evill
          
           thou
           
             fearest
             ,
          
           why
           t
           is
           not
           in
           the
           power
           of
           any
           creatureto
           hurt
           thee
           .
           Though
           men
           should
           use
           plots
           ,
           and
           threats
           against
           thee
           ,
           yet
           they
           can
           do
           nothing
           .
           They
           sate
           together
           ,
           and
           counselled
           against
           
             David
             ,
             devising
             to
             take
             away
             his
             life
             ,
          
           Psal.
           31.
           13.
           
           But
           what
           was
           his
           comfort
           ,
           why
           ,
           saith
           he
           ,
           
             ver.
          
           15.
           
           
             My
             times
             are
             in
             thy
             hands
             O
             Lord
             .
          
           He
           knew
           that
           no
           ill
           successe
           towards
           him
           ,
           
           was
           in
           the
           power
           of
           others
           .
        
         
           Or
           is
           there
           an
           evil
           thou
           
             feelest
             ?
          
           why
           it
           comes
           from
           the
           hand
           of
           God
           .
           Be
           not
           then
           impatient
           at
           the
           instrument
           .
           T
           is
           but
           a
           childish
           ,
           currish
           thing
           to
           beat
           the
           rod
           ,
           or
           bite
           the
           stone
           that
           hurt
           thee
           .
           
             David
          
           could
           quietly
           undergo
           the
           railing
           of
           
             Shimei
             ,
          
           when
           once
           he
           had
           discerned
           in
           it
           the
           Providence
           of
           God
           .
        
         
           Or
           is
           there
           
             a
             good
             thou
             hopest
             for
             ?
          
           why
           it
           is
           not
           within
           the
           reach
           of
           thy
           abilities
           .
           And
           therefore
           't
           were
           but
           in
           vain
           to
           think
           thou
           couldst
           command
           it
           by
           thine
           own
           endeavours
           .
           We
           should
           
           count
           it
           a
           mad
           thing
           for
           one
           that
           is
           naturally
           lowe
           ,
           to
           busie
           himself
           in
           the
           study
           and
           labour
           of
           growing
           tall
           ,
           because
           this
           is
           not
           alterable
           by
           any
           thing
           in
           our
           power
           ;
           
             Since
             no
             man
             can
             adde
             one
             cubit
             to
             his
             stature
             .
          
           Why
           t
           is
           so
           in
           other
           things
           likewise
           ,
           God
           doth
           as
           well
           set
           bounds
           to
           our
           
             estates
             ,
          
           as
           to
           our
           
             statures
             ;
          
           and
           of
           our selves
           ,
           we
           can
           as
           little
           adde
           one
           
             penny
          
           to
           that
           ,
           as
           one
           
             cubit
          
           to
           this
           .
           And
           therefore
           ,
           never
           let
           any
           one
           think
           that
           he
           can
           raise
           himself
           as
           he
           pleases
           ,
           and
           be
           the
           master
           of
           his
           own
           fortunes
           .
           Though
           he
           were
           furnished
           with
           the
           greatest
           
           helps
           and
           probabilities
           of
           advancement
           .
           Yet
           
             the
             battell
             is
             not
             alwayes
             to
          
           
           
             the
             strong
             ,
             nor
             the
             race
             to
             the
             swift
             ;
             neither
             bread
             to
             the
             wise
             ,
             nor
             yet
             riches
             to
             men
             of
             understanding
             ,
             nor
             yet
             favour
             to
             men
             of
             skill
             ;
             but
             time
             and
             ehance
             happens
             to
             them
             all
             .
          
           That
           is
           ,
           there
           is
           a
           secret
           Providence
           ,
           which
           doth
           so
           unavoidably
           dispose
           of
           these
           lower
           events
           ,
           that
           the
           likeliest
           means
           we
           can
           use
           ,
           cannot
           promise
           us
           any
           certain
           successe
           .
        
         
           They
           that
           with
           a
           compasse
           wisdom
           will
           belay
           events
           ,
           that
           with
           forecasts
           ,
           and
           provisions
           will
           binde
           Providence
           ,
           for
           the
           most
           part
           ,
           are
           not
           onely
           
           disappointed
           in
           what
           they
           hoped
           for
           ,
           but
           do
           meet
           with
           a
           curse
           instead
           of
           it
           .
           See
           that
           place
           ,
           
             Isa.
          
           50.
           11.
           
           
             Behold
             ,
             all
             ye
             that
             kindle
             a
             fire
             ,
             that
             compasse
             your selves
             about
             with
             sparks
             ,
             walk
             in
             the
             light
             of
             your
             fire
             ,
             and
             in
             the
             sparks
             that
             you
             have
             kindled
             ;
             This
             shall
             you
             have
             of
             my
             hands
             ,
             you
             shall
             lye
             down
             in
             sorrow
             .
          
        
         
           3.
           
           Hence
           we
           learn
           to
           be
           equally
           prepared
           for
           all
           future
           events
           ,
           not
           wishing
           for
           one
           more
           then
           another
           .
           What
           ever
           comes
           to
           passe
           shall
           be
           
             beautifull
             ,
          
           and
           therefore
           should
           be
           
             welcome
             .
          
           All
           things
           that
           befall
           us
           shal
           lead
           us
           on
           to
           the
           same
           journeys
           end
           ,
           Happines
           .
           
           And
           therefore
           we
           should
           not
           in
           our
           expectation
           of
           future
           matters
           ingage
           our selves
           in
           the
           desire
           of
           any
           particular
           successe
           .
           But
           with
           a
           
             travailers
          
           indifferency
           (
           as
           
             Epictetus
          
           
           speaks
           in
           
             Arian
             .
             )
          
           who
           when
           he
           comesto
           doubtfull
           turnings
           ,
           doth
           not
           desire
           one
           way
           should
           be
           true
           more
           then
           another
           .
           So
           should
           we
           entertain
           every
           thing
           that
           we
           meet
           with
           in
           our
           passage
           through
           this
           life
           .
           Especially
           since
           we
           are
           sure
           ,
           that
           there
           is
           none
           of
           them
           ,
           but
           if
           we
           belong
           to
           God
           ,
           shall
           further
           us
           in
           that
           which
           is
           our
           main
           businesse
           ,
           our
           
             journey
          
           to
           happinesse
           .
           And
           
           therefore
           to
           be
           very
           sollicitous
           about
           any
           particular
           successe
           ,
           what
           is
           it
           but
           to
           limit
           and
           confine
           the
           power
           of
           God
           ?
           nay
           ,
           to
           prefer
           our
           own
           policy
           before
           the
           wisedome
           of
           Providence
           ,
           as
           if
           we
           alone
           were
           able
           to
           discern
           what
           would
           be
           the
           best
           issue
           of
           things
           .
           Mark
           how
           the
           same
           Heathen
           bespeaks
           such
           a
           person
           .
           Thou
           foolish
           man
           (
           saith
           he
           )
           doest
           thou
           not
           desire
           that
           which
           will
           be
           most
           convenient
           for
           thee
           ?
           And
           can
           there
           be
           any
           thing
           better
           then
           what
           God
           appoints
           .
           
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
          
           .
           Wherfore
           by
           such
           immoderate
           and
           
           eager
           desires
           ,
           thou
           doest
           (
           as
           much
           as
           in
           thee
           lies
           )
           to
           corrupt
           thy
           Judge
           ,
           and
           seduce
           thy
           counsellor
           .
        
         
           The
           
             Stoicks
          
           have
           many
           excellent
           passages
           to
           this
           purpose
           .
           
             Nunquam
             sapientem
          
           
           
             poenitentia
             subit
             ,
          
           (
           saith
           
             Seneca
             )
             quia
             nihil
             melius
             illo
             tempore
             fieri
             potuit
             quam
             quod
             factum
             est
             .
          
           A
           wise
           man
           is
           never
           troubled
           at
           any
           crosse
           event
           ,
           He
           knows
           nothing
           could
           have
           been
           better
           then
           it
           is
           .
           
             Omnia
             illi
             succedunt
             ,
             nihil
             praeter
             opinionem
             accidit
             .
          
           All
           things
           are
           successefull
           to
           him
           ,
           he
           is
           disappointed
           in
           nothing
           ,
           because
           indifferent
           to
           every
           thing
           .
           
           Whilest
           others
           are
           tossed
           up
           and
           down
           betwixt
           hopes
           and
           fears
           ,
           his
           mind
           is
           established
           .
        
         
           Now
           if
           meer
           
             reason
          
           could
           advance
           
             Heathen
          
           men
           to
           such
           resolutions
           ,
           much
           more
           then
           should
           a
           
             Christians
             faith
          
           in
           the
           providence
           of
           God
           ,
           with
           those
           many
           promises
           wherein
           he
           hath
           an
           interest
           ,
           raise
           his
           minde
           to
           this
           heroick
           temper
           ,
           and
           make
           him
           bend
           himself
           with
           a
           submissive
           compliance
           unto
           every
           condition
           .
        
         
           
             Ob.
          
           But
           what
           then
           ,
           
           may
           not
           a
           man
           (
           nay
           should
           he
           not
           )
           be
           very
           earnest
           in
           his
           desires
           and
           prayers
           ,
           for
           some
           particusar
           
           deliverance
           or
           blessing
           ?
        
         
           I
           answer
           .
           Yes
           .
           But
           in
           
           all
           
             temporall
          
           matters
           ,
           it
           must
           be
           still
           with
           a
           tacit
           submission
           to
           the
           will
           of
           God
           ,
           who
           knows
           better
           what
           is
           fit
           for
           us
           ,
           then
           we
           our selves
           .
           See
           the
           example
           of
           
             David
          
           to
           this
           purpose
           .
           2
           
             Sam.
          
           15.
           25.
           
           He
           was
           there
           put
           to
           a
           verie
           great
           exigence
           ,
           his
           Son
           
             Absolon
             ,
          
           had
           suddenly
           raised
           a
           great
           Army
           against
           him
           ,
           in
           so
           much
           as
           he
           was
           fain
           to
           fly
           for
           his
           life
           .
           There
           were
           some
           of
           the
           Priests
           adhered
           to
           him
           ,
           and
           followed
           him
           with
           the
           Ark
           .
           But
           he
           ,
           upon
           serious
           thoughts
           desires
           them
           to
           return
           again
           .
           
           For
           (
           saith
           he
           )
           
             if
             I
             shall
             finde
             favour
             in
             the
             eyes
             of
             the
             Lord
             ,
             he
             will
             bring
             me
             again
             ,
             and
             shew
             me
             both
             it
             and
             his
             hahitation
             ;
             But
             if
             he
             thus
             say
             unto
             me
             ,
             I
             have
             no
             delight
             in
             thee
             ,
             Behold
             here
             I
             am
             ,
             let
             him
             do
             to
             me
             ,
             as
             seemeth
             good
             unto
             him
             .
          
           Here
           's
           no
           deep
           anxietie
           or
           aestuation
           of
           spirit
           .
           No
           bitter
           exclaiming
           against
           his
           unnaturall
           son
           ,
           and
           disloyall
           Subjects
           ,
           but
           a
           quiet
           succumbency
           ,
           an
           indifferent
           composure
           of
           minde
           ,
           which
           resolves
           to
           be
           content
           in
           every
           condition
           .
           He
           puts
           the
           case
           both
           wayes
           ,
           and
           is
           provided
           for
           either
           .
           If
           it
           prove
           after
           
             this
          
           manner
           ,
           why
           then
           so
           .
           If
           
             otherwise
             ,
          
           
           then
           thus
           .
           So
           true
           is
           that
           common
           Emblem
           ,
           that
           every
           wise
           man
           is
           a
           
             cube
          
           or
           
             dye
             ,
          
           not
           to
           be
           flung
           from
           his
           bottom
           .
           Let
           him
           be
           cast
           any
           way
           ,
           he
           still
           lights
           upon
           his
           right
           
             basis
             ,
          
           whatever
           his
           
             condition
          
           may
           be
           ,
           
             Si
             fractus
             illabotur
             orbis
             ,
          
           yet
           his
           
             minde
          
           is
           still
           calm
           and
           peaceable
           .
        
         
           
             Ob.
          
           But
           would
           you
           
           have
           a
           man
           turn
           
             Stoick
             ?
          
           should
           he
           not
           be
           troubled
           at
           the
           afflictions
           that
           befall
           him
           ?
        
         
           
             Sol.
          
           I
           answer
           .
           Yes
           :
           He
           must
           be
           sensible
           of
           his
           
           sufferings
           ,
           and
           consequently
           cannot
           but
           grieve
           under
           them
           ;
           especially
           so
           far
           as
           his
           own
           sin
           and
           neglect
           hath
           occasioned
           
           them
           .
           But
           then
           it
           should
           be
           his
           care
           to
           quiet
           his
           heart
           from
           immoderate
           trouble
           ,
           by
           the
           confideration
           of
           that
           wise
           Providence
           ,
           who
           doth
           dispose
           of
           all
           for
           the
           best
           .
        
         
           4.
           
           Lastly
           ,
           hence
           we
           learn
           ,
           to
           behave
           our selves
           with
           
             chearfulnesse
          
           and
           
             contentment
          
           under
           all
           those
           conditions
           which
           the
           Providence
           of
           God
           shall
           think
           fittest
           for
           us
           .
           T
           is
           the
           Wisemans
           own
           inference
           from
           the
           text
           ,
           in
           the
           verses
           immediately
           after
           it
           .
           
             There
             is
             nothing
             better
             then
             for
             a
             man
             to
             rejoyce
             ,
          
           
           
             and
             do
             good
             in
             his
             life
             ;
             that
             he
             should
             eat
             and
             drink
             ,
             and
             injoy
             the
             good
             of
             his
             labour
             .
          
           
           For
           if
           every
           thing
           
           be
           best
           which
           God
           appoints
           ,
           we
           have
           no
           reason
           then
           to
           be
           troubled
           at
           any
           event
           .
           What
           though
           it
           do
           crosse
           our
           desires
           ,
           yet
           't
           would
           not
           have
           been
           so
           well
           ,
           if
           it
           had
           been
           otherwise
           .
           Things
           cannot
           be
           better
           with
           us
           then
           they
           are
           .
           
             David
          
           thought
           it
           a
           hard
           case
           ,
           that
           his
           childe
           by
           
             Bathsheba
          
           must
           dye
           .
           But
           did
           he
           loose
           any
           thing
           by
           it
           ?
           was
           it
           not
           better
           for
           him
           to
           have
           such
           a
           legitimate
           Heir
           as
           
             Solomon
          
           was
           ?
           We
           are
           but
           ill
           contrivers
           of
           our
           own
           welfare
           ,
           and
           therefore
           should
           without
           murmuring
           submit
           our selves
           
           and
           affairs
           to
           the
           government
           of
           Providence
           .
           What
           though
           that
           do
           straiten
           us
           in
           our
           desires
           ?
           you
           are
           content
           to
           let
           the
           
             Physitian
          
           bar
           you
           of
           many
           things
           ,
           because
           he
           hath
           cast
           your
           water
           ,
           felt
           your
           pulse
           .
           Consider
           then
           ,
           doth
           it
           not
           as
           much
           concern
           us
           to
           provide
           for
           the
           salvation
           of
           our
           souls
           ,
           as
           the
           health
           of
           our
           bodies
           ?
           or
           doth
           not
           God
           understand
           this
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           the
           Physitian
           that
           ?
           What
           reason
           have
           we
           then
           to
           repine
           at
           his
           proceedings
           ?
           He
           was
           a
           wise
           Son
           in
           
             Plutarch
             ,
          
           who
           being
           told
           by
           a
           friend
           that
           his
           Father
           would
           dis-inherit
           him
           ;
           Answered
           ,
           
           
             Non
             faciet
             nisi
             faciendum
             :
          
           He
           will
           do
           nothing
           but
           what
           he
           should
           .
           Thus
           should
           a
           Christian
           willingly
           resigne
           up
           himself
           in
           every
           condition
           to
           the
           disposall
           of
           Providence
           .
        
         
           Do
           but
           apply
           this
           consideration
           according
           to
           the
           severall
           occasions
           of
           your
           lives
           .
           When
           your
           hearts
           are
           at
           any
           time
           amazed
           or
           dejected
           with
           the
           thought
           of
           the
           
             publick
          
           confusions
           ;
           Remember
           ,
           that
           God
           sits
           in
           heaven
           ,
           observing
           and
           ordering
           all
           these
           inferior
           motions
           for
           the
           best
           .
        
         
           And
           so
           too
           in
           the
           case
           of
           
             particular
          
           sufferings
           ,
           t
           is
           likely
           that
           there
           is
           not
           any
           amongst
           you
           ,
           but
           
           hath
           some
           kinde
           of
           
             private
          
           trouble
           &
           grievance
           to
           which
           he
           is
           more
           especially
           exposed
           .
           Either
           weaknes
           of
           body
           ,
           or
           too
           narrow
           a
           fortune
           ,
           losses
           in
           your
           estates
           ,
           disappointment
           in
           yourhopes
           ,
           unhappie
           relations
           ,
           or
           the
           like
           .
           And
           these
           things
           as
           we
           are
           
             men
             ,
          
           cannot
           chuse
           but
           grate
           upon
           our
           spirits
           ,
           with
           some
           kinde
           of
           harshnesse
           and
           discontent
           .
           But
           now
           ,
           as
           
             Beleevers
             ,
          
           we
           have
           a
           remedie
           against
           them
           .
           For
           consider
           ,
           there
           is
           nothing
           befals
           us
           by
           chance
           .
           All
           things
           are
           ordered
           by
           the
           deliberate
           counsell
           and
           fore-knowledge
           of
           God
           .
           He
           is
           as
           exactly
           
           carefull
           of
           every
           one
           of
           us
           ,
           as
           if
           he
           had
           nothing
           else
           to
           look
           after
           .
           Do
           not
           think
           that
           any
           trouble
           befals
           you
           (
           because
           he
           doth
           not
           regard
           ,
           for
           his
           care
           &
           providence
           doth
           extend
           to
           all
           things
           ;
           nor
           because
           he
           
             cannot
          
           help
           ,
           for
           he
           is
           Almighty
           ;
           nor
           because
           he
           
             will
             not
             ,
          
           for
           he
           is
           equally
           infinite
           in
           all
           his
           Attributes
           ;
           But
           because
           his
           
             wisedome
          
           finds
           that
           condition
           to
           be
           fittest
           for
           thee
           ;
           there
           is
           some
           thing
           amisse
           which
           shold
           be
           mended
           .
           When
           the
           superfluous
           humour
           is
           corrected
           ,
           the
           physicall
           potion
           shal
           be
           taken
           away
           .
           And
           t
           is
           not
           reasonable
           to
           expect
           physick
           and
           
           health
           both
           together
           .
           When
           the
           wound
           is
           healed
           ,
           the
           smarting
           plaister
           shall
           be
           removed
           .
           And
           thou
           mayest
           confidently
           say
           with
           
             David
             ,
             Psal.
          
           119.
           75.
           
           
             I
             know
             O
             Lord
             that
             thy
             judgements
             are
             right
             ,
             and
             that
             thou
             in
             faithfulnes
             hast
             afflicted
             me
             .
          
        
         
           How
           happy
           might
           we
           be
           ,
           if
           we
           could
           settle
           our
           hearts
           upon
           these
           considerations
           ?
        
         
           FINIS
           .
        
      
    
     
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A66025e-140
           
             Psal.
             73.
             
             Ier.
             12.
             
          
           
             Eccles.
             9.
             2
             
          
           
             Cap.
             7.
             15.
             
          
           
             C.
             8.
             14.
             
          
           
             C.
             4
             v.
             1
             
          
           
             C.
             7.
             v.
             7.
             
          
           
             Prov.
             25.
             2
             
          
           
             Eccles
             8.
             17.
             
          
           
             Act.
             4.
             28.
             
          
           
             Eccles.
             5.
             8.
             
          
           
             C.
             3.
             17.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             39.
             9.
             
          
           
             Ioh.
             18.
             11
             
          
           
             Isa.
             51.
             12
             ,
             13.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             46.
             1
             ,
             2
             ,
             3.
             
          
        
         
           Notes for div A66025e-1040
           
             *
             
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
            
          
           
             This
             very
             sutable
             to
             the
             originall
             .
          
           
             
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
            
          
           
             Propos.
             
          
           
             Confirmation
             by
             
               Testimony
               Divine
               .
            
          
           
             So
             Ier.
             32.
             19.
             
          
           
             Iob
             36.
             5.
             
          
           
             Chron.
             6
             9.
             
             Prov.
             15.
             3
             
          
           
             Ver.
             10.
             
          
           
             Humane
             testimony
             .
          
           
             
               Bacons
            
             Sap.
             Vet.
             
          
           
             Examples
             .
          
           
             David
             .
          
           
             Jonah
             .
          
           
             Paul
             &
             Barnabas
             .
          
           
             Matth.
             12.
             25.
             
          
           
             Ver.
             39
             ,
             40
             ,
             41.
             
          
           
             Confirmation
             by
             Reason
             .
          
           
             1
             
               Reason
               .
            
          
           
             *
             Like
             that
             of
             the
             Poet
             :
          
           
             Non
             vacat
             exiguis
             rebus
             adesse
             Jovi
             .
          
           
             2
             
               Reas.
               
            
          
           
             Vindication
             from
             doubts
             &
             objections
             
          
           
             Psal.
             90.
             4.
             2
             Pet.
             3.
             8.
             
          
           
             Application
             .
          
           
             1
             
               Use
               .
            
             For
             Information
             .
          
           
             Isa
             64.
             5.
             
          
           
             V.
             7
             ,
             8
             ,
             9.
             
          
           
             Ephes.
             5.
             16.
             
          
           
             2
             Tim
             3.
             1
             ,
             5.
             
          
           
             Eccles.
             5.
             8
             
          
           
             Cap.
             4.
             1.
             
          
           
             Eccles.
             10.
             7.
             
          
           
             Iob
             95
             ,
             6.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             11.
             3.
             
          
           
             Rom.
             8.
             28.
             35.
             
          
           
             2
             
               Use
               .
            
             For
             Reproof
             .
          
           
             Isa.
             42.
             20.
             
          
           
             Isa
             55.
             8
             ,
             9
             
          
           
             Epictetus
             
          
           
             1
             King.
             10.
             7.
             
          
           
             Matt.
             6.
             34
             
          
           
             Ephes.
             5.
             16.
             
          
           
             3
             
               Use
               .
            
             For
             Exhortation
             .
          
           
             Prov.
             25.
             13.
             
          
           
             Translat
             .
             Fearfull
             .
          
           
             Boetius
             .
             Consol.
             lib
             4.
             
          
           
             1
             Sam.
             24.
             11.
             26.
             7.
             
          
           
             Psal
             27.
             13
             
          
           
             Ver.
             9.
             
          
           
             Eccles.
             9.
             11.
             
          
           
             Disert.
             li
             .
             2.
             ca.
             7.
             
          
           
             De
             Benef.
             lib.
             4.
             34.
             
          
           
             Ob.
             
          
           
             Sol.
             
          
           
             Ob.
             
          
           
             Sol.
             
          
           
             V.
             12
             ,
             13.
             
          
           
             AEquum
             est
             ut
             homini
             placet
             ,
             quicquid
             placet
             Deo.